City Council

Regular Session 06/10/25 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 June 10, 2025 The Council of the City of Fredericksburg, Virginia, held a regular session on Tuesday, June 10, 2025, beginning at 7:30 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, Deputy City Manager Mark Whitley, Deputy City Manager David Brown, City Attorney Kelly J. Lackey, Public Works Director William Morris, Sustainability Coordinator Hannah Taylor, Finance Director Amanda Six and Clerk of Council Tonya B. Lacey. Opening Prayer and Pledge of Allegiance. The council was led in prayer by Vice-Mayor Charlie L. Frye, Jr., followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by Councilor Jason Graham. Officer Recognized. Mayor Devine recognized the presence of Lieutenant Jason Dring at this evening’s meeting. City Environmental Sustainability Update – Hanna Taylor, Environmental Sustainability Coordinator (D25-242). Ms. Taylor presented a 22555 Regular Session 06/10/25 PowerPoint presentation. The presentation began with an introduction of Ms. Hannah Taylor to the City Council by Public Works Director Morris. Ms. Taylor followed by presenting the following: Program Overview, Program Objectives, Timeline, Current Initiatives, EV Charging Across the ROW, Greenhouse Gass Inventory, Baseline Year – 2019, Baseline Year – 2024, What Has Changed, Future Plans and Partnerships. Councilor Gerlach said the report was encouraging and he was especially excited about the crubside EV charging. Vice-Mayor Frye asked whether there would be designated areas for the pilot EV charging station program and Ms. Taylor said it would be because they do not want them in high traffic areas, for example Caroline Street. Councilor Graham asked Ms. Taylor’s opinion on the City hitting its 2035 goals. Ms. Taylor said it was an ambitious goal, but it could be achieved through different routes. She said some of the buildings are challenging, such as City Hall which solar panels cannot be installed, so it would require finding different ways to reduce energy. She said if the City could find creative ways it could maintain the goal. She explained to do that there would have to be a lot of interdepartmental work to find solutions. Councilor Mackintosh asked Ms. Taylor if her numbers included the schools and she said they did not. He asked if she was working with anyone at the schools and she was not currently, but she said that was something she could do in the future. Councilor Mackintosh said he was more concerned with getting the city vehicles to hit the 2035 goals. 22556 Regular Session 06/10/25 Ms. Finn suggested, if possible, if other projects such as the solar on the landfill could be rated the same way the electric, gas and vehicle equipment were rated so they could see the progress. Continuum of Care (COC) Regional Update - Sam Shoukas (D25-243). Ms. Shoukas presented a PowerPoint presentation, and she discussed the following: Continuum of Care (CoC), History of the CoC, What is the CoC, What is the CoC Role in the Region, Partners, Who We Serve, Point-in-Time vs. Population, Funding Overview, Funding and Performance Committee, Basic Funding Eligibility, CoC’s Role, CoC Funding – FY26 Estimate, Jurisdictional Partnership Applications, Jurisdictional Funding and Questions. Mayor Devine stated that Fredericksburg has worked hard to meet the needs of the Community, particularly the unhoused community and it has increased its support and funding of projects like the Jeremiah Community as well as allocating funds for an Outreach Coordinator through the Rappahannock Area Community Services Board (RACSB). This was a regional project, but it had not happened and the City wanted to address the need immediately. The City takes a strong lead on the unhoused community and it has been supportive of the CoC and its mission of rapid rehousing. Councilor Graham asked what type of data would be collected in the maintenance system and how it would be shared with the localities. Ms. Shoukas explained that the CoC releases an annual report every year and they highlight every program in the system. She said they also submit reports to HUD and to the State and those are published on the CoC’s website. HUD requires them to track system 22557 Regular Session 06/10/25 performance measures, and she offered to push this information out. Councilor Graham suggested that the new Outreach Coordinator should have access to this information daily so they can make decisions. Sam said they will be using the same software that all the providers are using. Councilor Holmes asked how the increased housing costs in the area affected people getting housed. Ms. Shoukas said the issue they continue to run into since the pandemic is that the rents are going up and staffing is getting more expensive. She said funding from the State, even though they are one of the highest ranking CoC’s has remained level for the past 10-15 years. They currently receive about $600,000 but overall, its is still challenging. Councilor Finn asked how prioritization worked for the unsheltered. Ms. Shoukas said on any given day they have about 150 people asking for housing and they may have 1-2 spots. She said it is all completely data driven, who is most vulnerable, and who can work without best without their support. She said it is about vulnerability and not first come first serve. Councilor Holmes asked what resources are available for families who are in danger of being evicted. Ms. Shoukas said the CoC runs an eviction working group and Lois Anne Hope House oversees most of the prevention programs, they are working on an eviction pilot program. If someone thinks they are about to be evicted they can call the homeless hotline. Councilor Mackintosh expressed how impressed he was with their care and how they attack problems. 22558 Regular Session 06/10/25 Consent Agenda Accepted for Transmittal as Recommended (D25- 244 thru D25-251). Councilor Graham moved approval of the City Manager’s consent agenda; motion was seconded by Vice-Mayor Frye and passed by the following recorded votes. Ayes (7). Councilors Devine, Frye, Finn, Gerlach, Graham, Holmes and Mackintosh. Nays (0). o Transmittal of the Board and Commission Minutes • Economic Development Authority – April 14, 2025 (D25-244). • Fredericksburg Arts Commission – January 15, 2025 (D25-245). • Fredericksburg Arts Commission – February 19, 2025 (D25-246). • Fredericksburg Arts Commission – March 19, 2025 (D25-247). • Fredericksburg Arts Commission – April 16, 2025 (D25-248). • Pathways Committee – April 28, 2025 (D25-249). • Planning Commission – February 12, 2025 (D25-250). • Public Transit Advisory Board – April 2, 2025 (D25-251). Public Hearing. There was no scheduled public hearing. Citizen Comment. There were no comments given and/or 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. 8A. River Crossing Resolution – Councilor Mackintosh 8B. Ranked Choice Voting – Councilor Mackintosh 22559 Regular Session 06/10/25 8C. Parking Authority Recommendation – Councilor Finn 8D. Consideration of Daycare Special Use Permits – Councilor Finn 8E. Trail Expansion Concerns – Vice-Mayor Frye Resolution 25-40, Endorsing Option C as the Preferred Local Alternative for a Proposed Additional Bridge Crossing the Rappahannock River (D25-251.1) – Councilor Mackintosh proposed that they adopt a formal resolution capturing the decision of Council from the work session on Option C to include development of recreational assets on both sides of the river as part of the project. Councilor Mackintosh moved approval of Resolution 25-40, endorsing Option C as the preferred local alternative for a proposed additional bridge crossing the Rappahannock River; motion was seconded by Councilor Graham and passed by the following recorded votes. Ayes (6). Councilors Devine, Frye, Finn, Graham, Holmes and Mackintosh. Nays (1). Councilor Gerlach. Ranked Choice Voting – Councilor Mackintosh requested a future work session be added to discuss ranked choice voting and what it might look for future elections. He would like the Registrar and the Board of Elections to be invited. Mayor said this would be a good update. Parking Authority Recommendation – Councilor Finn noted that the Parking Authority was aware of the parking issues on Lewis Street and it did not meet the standard calculation of how parking is administered, and she would like to call a 22560 Regular Session 06/10/25 special meeting of the Parking Authority to meet between now and their next scheduled meeting in September. Vice-Mayor Frye said he had spoken with Dr. Brock about some of the issues. Councilor Gerlach added that this was a serious issue, and he was looking forward to what the Parking Authority suggests. Vice-Mayor Frye asked whether the Parking Authority should address other streets. Mayor Devine said for now only Lewis Street was being addressed but at the meeting they should discuss the potential domino effect. Consideration of Daycare Special Use Permits – Councilor Finn stated that with the shortage of daycares and the difficulties to find affordable reliable care the option she sees is home daycare. These daycares are licensed, inspected and regulated by the State for compliance but the City requires additional regulation by a Special Use Permit, and this could be a barrier for those who are willing to provide this service. She asked if Council would be willing to bring this to a work session for discussion to help allow more daycares in the City. The Council agreed that this was a topic they would like the staff to check into. Trail Expansion Concerns – Vice-Mayor Frye said at the end of the trail expansion meeting there were concerns about parking at the end of the 100 block of Caroline Street and whether it should be residential parking. Another concern was whether the City property at the end of the cul-de-sac could be gravel parking or whether they should redirect parking to the end of the trail, possibly in Dixon Park. The final concern was security on all of the trails. He suggested that possibly the blue lights 22561 Regular Session 06/10/25 similar to those that are at the University. Vice-Mayor Frye said with the trials expanding there should be some type of security. He said he would like to discuss this at a future work session. Mayor Devine said she would be curious to see the data from the University’s emergency lights. Councilor Mackintosh said the University recently replaced all of theirs, so they see value in them. Adoption of Minutes (D25-252 thru D25-254). Councilor Gerlach moved to approve October 8, 2024, October 22, 2024 and November 12, 2024, Work Session minutes, and May 27, 2025, Regular Session minutes; motion was seconded by Councilor Holmes and passed by the following recorded votes. Ayes (7). Councilors Devine, Frye, Finn, Gerlach, Graham, Holmes and Mackintosh. Nays (0). Rappahannock Area Alcohol Safety Action Program Appointment – Captain Rashawn Cowles (D25-255). Councilor Graham moved to appoint Captain Rashawn Cowles to the Rappahannock Area Alcohol Safety Action Program; motion was seconded by Councilor Gerlach and passed by the following recorded votes. Ayes (7). Councilors Devine, Frye, Finn, Gerlach, Graham, Holmes and Mackintosh. Nays (0). Fiscal Year 2025 Financial Update (D25-256 thru D25-257). Finance Director Six presented the new financials reporting timelines and format. She explained that the format looked similar to the audit documents and familiar with the same basis of comparison as the budget. She asked the Council if the format worked for them. 22562 Regular Session 06/10/25 Ms. Six said overall the City was in a positive financial position. There was a tremendous amount of real estate taxes collected between last week and the deadline. The sales taxes were flat, but they will slightly exceed the budget. The sales taxes are up year-over-year. There were two months that were better than what was reported in the spring. There is a little bit of slowing but they will continue to watch it as we begin FY26. Ms. Six said they are still seeing strong investment income with the interest rates and how the City assets are invested. There have been changes year-over-year and the number is not as large as last fiscal year, but it remains positive. The recovered cost for Emergency Medical Services (EMS) has seen an uptick in collections. Councilor Gerlach said he was appreciative of the sales tax, personal property tax and meals tax being broken out separately. He asked what the line item, other local taxes consisted of. Mr. Six said it was admissions, cigarettes, tobacco, telecom and money from PPTRA associated with personal property tax relief. Mr. Gerlach asked if any of those numbers show signs of going in the wrong direction and Ms. Six said when she looked at them and there was nothing that looked out of the normal. He said he would like to see an update if there is a sense of things changing. Councilor Mackintosh asked where BPOL was located, and Ms. Six said it was in other local taxes, and it had slightly exceeded budget. He said he would like to see that broken out in a separate line. Mr. Whitley explained that it was not a useful item to determine if they need to pull back on spending because it only comes in March. Councilor Mackintosh retracted his request. 22563 Regular Session 06/10/25 Councilor Gerlach requested the lodging tax be broken out because it was a sign of whether people were visiting. Mayor Devine suggested the admissions tax as well as the lodging. Resolution 25-41, First Read, Amending the Fiscal Year 2025 Budget to Authorize a Payment to the Virginia Retirement System to Offset Future Pension Liability (D25-258). After staff presentation Councilor Gerlach moved to approve Resolution 25-41, on first read, amending the Fiscal Year 2025 Budget to Authorize a Payment to the Virginia Retirement System to Offset Future Pension Liability; motion was seconded by the Vice-Mayor Frye and passed by the following unanimously recorded votes. Ayes (7). Councilors Devine, Frye, Finn, Gerlach, Graham, Holmes and Mackintosh. Nays (0). City Manager’s Report and Council Calendar (D25-259 thru D25- 260). City Manager Baroody directed the Council’s attention to the Manager’s Update: Want to make a difference in Fredericksburg?, Pride Month 2025, Twilight in Downtown, Weekend Free Trolley Service Returns to Downtown, City Announces Dixon Park Connector Trail Project to Expand Downtown Trail Network, Primary Early Voting Continues, Dorothy Hart Community Center Auditorium Reopened, School Zone Cameras, Public Tree Inventory & Management Program, Goats Continue Natural Brush Control, Old Mill Park Summer Fees, Enter in the 2025 FXBG Peeps Show!, Camp Crime Fighters, Stay Informed, 2025 Summer Programs, and FXBG Snapshot. 22564 Regular Session 06/10/25 Adjournment. There being no further business to come before the Council at this time, Mayor Devine declared the meeting officially adjourned at 9:13 p.m. Kerry P. Devine Kerry P. Devine, Mayor Tonya B. Lacey Tonya B. Lacey, Clerk of Council APPROVED APPROVED 01-09-24 06-27-23 22565 Regular Session 06/10/25 [This page intentionally left blank] 22566