City Council Work Session

AGENDA City of Williamsburg City Council Work Session Monday, October 6, 2025 The City Council Work Session will be held Monday, October 6, 2025 p.m. in the Stryker Center, 412 N. Boundary Street commencing at 4:00 PM. Page 1. CALL TO ORDER 2. ROLL CALL 3. ITEMS FOR CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF OCTOBER 9, 2025 A. Council Preview B. Public Comment 4. BACKGROUND PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSION A. Consideration and Direction Concerning the 2026 Draft Legislative 3 - 17 Agenda - Michele Mixner DeWitt, Assistant City Manager 5. CITY COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS 6. SCHEDULE OF MEETINGS October 7 October 20 Board of Zoning Appeals Historic Triangle Bicycle Advisory Committee 4:00 p.m., Stryker Center 7:00 p.m., Stryker Center October 8 October 27 Historic Triangle Recreational Facilities Authority Williamsburg Public Art Council 3:00 p.m., Stryker Center 3:30 p.m., Stryker Center October 8 October 28 Economic Development Authority Architectural Review Board 3:00 p.m., Stryker Center 6:30 p.m., Stryker Center October 9 November 4 City Council Board of Zoning Appeals 2:00 p.m., Stryker Center 4:00 p.m., Stryker Center October 14 November 10 Architectural Review Board WRHA Board of Commissioners 6:30 p.m., Stryker Center 3:00 p.m., Stryker Center October 15 November 10 Planning Commission City Council Work Session 3:30 p.m., Stryker Center 4:00 p.m., Stryker Center 7. OPEN FORUM 8. CLOSED SESSION  A. Closed Session Pursuant to Section 2.2-3711 of the Code of Virginia for 18 the Purpose of Discussing a Special Award Pursuant to Subparagraph 11; and Discussion of the Award of a Public Contract Involving the Expenditure of Public Funds, Where Discussion in an Open Session Would Adversely Affect the Bargaining Position or Negotiating Strategy of the Public Body per Paragraph 29, Regarding Schools. B. Certification of Closed Session 19 9. ADJOURNMENT The City Council invites public comment on any subject during "Open Forum." To speak, fill out a Speaker's Card (available at the door) and give it to the Clerk of Council. Please direct all comments to the Chair, limited to 5 minutes. Thank you.  City Council Agenda Item Summary Related Goal Staff Contact Engaging with our Partners Michele Mixner DeWitt, Assistant City Manager Agenda Item Wording Consideration and Direction Concerning the 2026 Draft Legislative Agenda - Michele Mixner DeWitt, Assistant City Manager Background Information Annually, the City of Williamsburg adopts a legislative agenda via resolution. The agenda serves as a quick reference for state and federal legislators regarding the City's position on national and state issues that may impact our locality. The draft agenda assembles potential legislative issues for consideration by the City Council in four categories. 1. Issues included in the previous year's agenda that are still ongoing or require further action 2. Issues that have arisen during departmental work and are suggested by members of the city staff 3. Issues included in the legislative agendas of partner agencies, professional organizations, or other jurisdictions that may warrant inclusion in the City's agenda 4. Items suggested by residents, interest groups, or other entities requiring review and consideration by the City Council before inclusion in the final legislative agenda. Staff requests that the City Council review and discuss the items identified in the attached memorandum and provide direction to staff in the development of the Legislative Agenda for adoption in November. Previous Relevant Action None Staff Recommendation None Attachments 2026 Draft Legislative Agenda Presentation 2026 Draft Legislative Agenda Memo  CITY OF WILLIAMSBURG Page 2 of 15 DRAFT LEGISLATIVE AGENDA 2026 1  DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY - DRAFT LEGISLATIVE AGENDA 2026 PARTNERS Colonial Williamsburg Foundation Page 3 of 15 William & Mary Williamsburg Tourism Council – Visit Williamsburg CITY OF WILLIAMSBURG Williamsburg Chamber of Commerce Virginia Peninsula Community College York County James City County 2  DEVELOPMENT SUPPORT - DRAFT LEGISLATIVE AGENDA 2026 ORGANIZATIONS Hampton Roads Planning District Commission Page 4 of 15 Hampton Roads Transportation Planning Organization Virginia Municipal League CITY OF WILLIAMSBURG Virginia Local Government Management Association Virginia First Cities Professional Organizations – Virginia Economic Developers Association, Virginia Chapter of the American Planning Association, Local Government Attorneys of Virginia, Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police, Virginia Fire Chiefs Association 3  ORGANIZATION INTENT STATEMENT Purpose, function, lifespan, and intended - DRAFT LEGISLATIVE AGENDA 2026 audience of the agenda PRIORITY ISSUES Collection of top issues (no more than 3 -4) of concern for Williamsburg this session Page 5 of 15 OTHER ISSUES OF FOCUS Categories of more general issues and the City’s position CITY OF WILLIAMSBURG PARTNER AGENCY ISSUES Items of interest suggested by partners in the region and state 4  PRIORITY ISSUES – CARRY OVER FROM 2025 AGENDA DRAFT LEGISLATIVE AGENDA 2026 LOCAL ZONING AUTHORITY Page 6 of 15 - Local land use decisions must remain local CITY OF WILLIAMSBURG 5  PRIORITY ISSUES – CARRY OVER FROM 2025 AGENDA PROPOSED LEGISLATIVE AGENDA 2026 TRAIL 757 & Capital Trail Extension Page 7 of 15 - State funding for the extension of the Williamsburg extension of the Capital Trail and Trail 757. CITY OF WILLIAMSBURG 6  PRIORITY ISSUES – CARRY OVER FROM 2025 AGENDA DRAFT LEGISLATIVE AGENDA 2026 PASSENGER RAIL Page 8 of 15 - Higher speed and more reliable passenger rail service to Richmond and the Northeast CITY OF WILLIAMSBURG Corridor, including a third train to Williamsburg and Newport News 7  PARTNER ISSUES – CARRY OVER FROM 2025 AGENDA DRAFT LEGISLATIVE AGENDA 2026 JAMES CITY COUNTY & CLERK OF CIRCUIT COURT Page 9 of 15 - REQUEST Support efforts to remove budget language that CITY OF WILLIAMSBURG decreases the distribution of excess fees to localities from the State Code allocation. 8  NEW CONSIDERATIONS FOR 2026 DRAFT LEGISLATIVE AGENDA 2026 STAFF -DRIVEN ISSUES Page 10 of 15 Charter Updates - Parking Enforcement Authorization CITY OF WILLIAMSBURG 9  NEW CONSIDERATIONS FOR 2026 DRAFT LEGISLATIVE AGENDA 2026 RESIDENT REQUEST Page 11 of 15 Permit regulatory authority over residential rental properties located near universities - CITY OF WILLIAMSBURG 10  LEGISLATIVE TIMELINE Legislation for inclusion in the 2026 General Assembly session prefiling deadline is November 17, 2025. LEGISLATIVE AGENDA 2026 Page 12 of 15 Draft Council Legislative Session SEPTEMBER Development Consideration Event Ends Staff works to collect During this month The City will host a Regular Session OCTOBER - other agencies' input Council will provide legislative event with (long = 60 days) MARCH DECEMBER to construct a draft feedback on the draft City's state and should conclude CITY OF WILLIAMSBURG Council position. agenda to federal elected mid-March management. officials to review the 2026. legislative priorities of Election Williamsburg. House of Presentation Session NOVEMBER 4 Delegates Staff will present a seats in the Begins draft agenda that General The 2026 OCTOBER includes items submitted Assembly Adoption General JANUARY for review. Not all items are on the Staff will present Assembly will will be included in the ballot. the final agenda convene on NOVEMBER final adopted agenda. for adoption. Items January 14, included will be 2026. those supported by a majority of 11 the City Council.  CITY OF WILLIAMSBURG Page 13 of 15 DRAFT LEGISLATIVE AGENDA 2026 12  C ITY OF W ILLIAMSB URG MEMORANDUM To: The Mayor and City Council From: Michele Mixner DeWitt, Assistant City Manager Date: September 28, 2025 RE: Draft 2026 Legislative Agenda This memorandum provides the draft legislative agenda for the 2026 legislative session of the Virginia General Assembly and the 2026 United States Congress. The City Council will review the draft at the October 6, 2025, regularly scheduled City Council work session, and a final adoption is expected to occur at the November 13, 2025, regular business meeting. Annually, the City of Williamsburg adopts a legislative agenda via resolution. The agenda's purpose is to serve as a quick reference for our state and federal legislators concerning the City's position on issues facing the nation and state that may impact our locality. The draft agenda assembles potential legislative issues for consideration by City Council in four categories. 1. The issues included in the previous year's agenda that are still ongoing or require further action 2. The issues that have arisen during departmental work and are suggested by members of the city staff 3. The issues included in the legislative agendas of partner agencies, professional organizations, or other jurisdictions that may warrant inclusion in the City's agenda 4. The items suggested by residents, interest groups, or other entities requiring review and consideration by the City Council before inclusion in the final legislative agenda. Category 1 – 2025 Session Carry Over Issues Three items from the 2025 legislative agenda remain: • Protection of Local Government Zoning Authority – Localities must retain control over land use decisions to ensure development aligns with community needs and values. • State Funding for Trail 757 – Continued support for state funding for the Williamsburg extension of the Capital Trail and Trail 757. • Passenger Rail on the Peninsula – Advocacy for expanded and improved passenger rail service to enhance regional mobility and economic development. • Clerk of Circuit Court requests that the City support efforts to remove budget language that decreases the distribution of excess fees to localities from the State Code allocation. Page 14 of 15 Category 2 – Staff-Driven Issues During the year, staff identify projects that could benefit from, would be enabled by, or should be terminated through legislative action. This year, three opportunities are identified in this category. 1. Charter Updates – Update the City Charter to reflect election timing as dictated by the State Code and operational clarity of existing procedures in the finance department. 2. Expand existing authority regarding parking in Virginia State Code §46.2-1220 – Seek legislative authority to permit third-party regulated parking within jurisdictions with high visitation rates, regardless of jurisdiction size. Category 3 – Partner Agency Driven Issues Many of the City's partner agencies, professional organizations, and colleague jurisdictions prepare annual legislative agendas. These agendas will encompass a range of issues related to the needs of these organizations. The City of Williamsburg typically considers legislative matters provided by William & Mary, the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, Virginia Peninsula Community College, the Virginia Municipal League, the Williamsburg Chamber of Commerce, the Tourism Council, James City County, and York County. The City's draft agenda is prepared early in the legislative cycle, and many other organizations are similarly preparing for the session. In the next weeks, new items may be submitted for consideration by the City Council before the final adoption of the 2026 legislative agenda. Category 4 – Resident and Interest Group Driven Issues The City of Williamsburg is fortunate to enjoy a high level of citizen engagement. This interaction and awareness extend from locally important and impactful issues to statewide legislative platforms. Throughout the year, staff receive suggested action items for inclusion in the annual legislative agenda from our engaged citizens and interest groups. The draft agenda presents these issues for consideration by the City Council for inclusion in the final agenda document. This year, the matters submitted include: • Permit Regulatory Authority Over Residential Rental Properties located near universities Page 15 of 15  City Council Work Session Agenda Item Summary Related Goal Staff Contact One Williamsburg Andrew Trivette, City Manager Agenda Item Wording Closed Session Pursuant to Section 2.2-3711 of the Code of Virginia for the Purpose of Discussing a Special Award Pursuant to Subparagraph 11; and Discussion of the Award of a Public Contract Involving the Expenditure of Public Funds, Where Discussion in an Open Session Would Adversely Affect the Bargaining Position or Negotiating Strategy of the Public Body per Paragraph 29, Regarding Schools. Background Information None. Previous Relevant Action None. Staff Recommendation None.  City Council Work Session Agenda Item Summary Related Goal Staff Contact Andrew Trivette, City Manager Agenda Item Wording Certification of Closed Session Background Information The City Council is required to certify that only matters covered by the closed session motion were discussed in the preceding closed session. Previous Relevant Action None. Staff Recommendation None.