CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING Tuesday, January 21, 2020 Council Chamber 6:30 p.m. The Charlottesville City Council met in regular session on January 21, 2020, with the following members present: Mayor Nikuyah Walker, Vice Mayor Sena Magill, Ms. Heather Hill, Mr. Michael Payne, and Mr. Lloyd Snook. Ms. Walker called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. On motion by Ms. Hill, seconded by Mr. Snook, Council by the following vote appointed members to the following boards and commissions: 5-0 (Ayes: Hill, Magill, Payne, Snook, Walker; Noes: None). Community Development Block Grant Task Force 1. Kem Spaulding Ridge Street Priority Neighborhood Task Force 1. Kathy Johnson Harris (Ridge Street resident) 2. Kettie Rupnik (Ridge Street resident) 3. Chris Meyer (business owner) Measurements and Solutions Group 1. Dashad Cooper (community member) 2. Matthew Ellison (data analysis / At-large) 3. Walter Heinecke (community organizing) 4. Billy Hunt (data analysis / At-large) 5. Ryan LaRochelle (Data analysis / At-large) 6. Joe Szakos (community organizing) 7. Kevin Healy (data analysis / At-large / community member) Sister Cities Commission 1. Daman Irby (Higher education representative from UVA) On motion by Mr. Snook, seconded by Ms. Magill, Council by the following vote added Item #3 – “We Are Still In” letter to General Assembly to the regular meeting agenda: 5-0 (Ayes: Hill, Magill, Payne, Snook, Walker; Noes: None) CONSENT AGENDA Clerk of Council Kyna Thomas read the following Consent Agenda items into the record: a. MINUTES: December 2, 2019 Regular meeting; December 16 Special meeting b. APPROPRIATION: Runaway Emergency Shelter Program Grant - $209,444 (2nd reading) APPROPRIATION Runaway Emergency Shelter Program - $209,444 WHEREAS, the City of Charlottesville has been awarded $200,000 from the Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families with cash match of $9,444 provided by the Human Services Fund and in-kind match of $12,778 provided by ReadyKids; WHEREAS, the funds will be used to operate the Runaway Emergency Shelter Program through a partnership between the Human Services Department and ReadyKids. The grant award covers the period from September 30, 2019 through September 29, 2020; NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the City of Charlottesville, Virginia, that the sum of $209,444 is hereby appropriated in the following manner: Revenue – $209,444 $200,000 Fund: 211 Internal Order: 1900344 G/L Account: 431110 $ 9,444 Fund: 211 Internal Order: 1900344 G/L Account: 498010 Expenditures - $209,444 $ 69,948 Fund: 211 Internal Order: 1900344 G/L Account: 519999 $125,000 Fund: 211 Internal Order: 1900344 G/L Account: 530010 $ 14,496 Fund: 211 Internal Order: 1900344 G/L Account: 599999 Transfer - $9,444 $ 9,444 Fund: 213 Cost Center: 3413003000 G/L Account: 561211 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this appropriation is conditioned upon the receipt of $200,000 from the Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families. c. APPROPRIATION: Human Services Fund Balance for PACEM (People And Congregations Engaged in Ministry) Transportation Costs - $20,000 (1st of 2 readings) d. APPROPRIATION: State Criminal Alien Assistance Program (S.C.A.A.P.) Grant for 2019 - $4,478 (1st of 2 readings) e. RESOLUTION: Legislative Theater Workshop and Belonging and Cultural Democracy Workshop (1 reading) RESOLUTION PERMITTING USE OF COUNCIL CHAMBERS ON FEBRUARY 6 AND 7, 2020 WHEREAS, the Charlottesville City Council’s Chambers, located at 605 East Main Street, Charlottesville, Virginia are under the direct control of the Charlottesville City Council; and WHEREAS, the Council Chambers are only used for official local or state government meetings or functions or for Community Events. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Council of the City of Charlottesville, Virginia finds that the Legislative Theater Workshop scheduled for February 6, 2020 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and the Belonging and Cultural Democracy Workshop scheduled for February 7, 2020 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. are community events pursuant to Charlottesville City Code Section 28-29 designed to consider alternative modes for listening and participation between the city government and its cities; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislative Theater Workshop and Belonging and Cultural Democracy Workshop directly relate to the relationship between the Council and the residents it serves, are open to the public, and may use the Council Chambers for the aforementioned hours. f. ORDINANCE: Amending Sec. 2-5 of Chapter 2 of the Code of the City of Charlottesville - Financial disclosure by certain officers and employees (1st of 2 readings) Ms. Walker opened the floor for comments from the public on the Consent Agenda. No one came forward to speak. Mr. Payne asked to pull item “c” for separate vote. He read a disclosure statement to recuse himself from voting on this item as an employee of PACEM. On motion by Ms. Hill, seconded by Mr. Snook, Council by the following vote APPROVED the consent agenda minus Item “c”: 5-0 (Ayes: Hill, Magill, Payne, Snook, Walker; Noes: None). On motion by Ms. Hill, seconded by Mr. Snook, Council by the following vote APPROVED Item “c”: 4-0-1 (Ayes: Hill, Magill, Snook, Walker; Noes: None; Abstentions: Payne per disclosure of conflict of interest). CITY MANAGER RESPONSE TO COMMUNITY MATTERS (FROM PREVIOUS MEETINGS) Dr. Richardson had no items to report from the last meeting, but advised that Mr. Garland Williams, Charlottesville Area Transportation Director is looking into options for the transit system, and into expanding Sunday service. COMMUNITY MATTERS Mr. William Atwood suggested getting rid of the Zoning Code and making the entire city an R-2 use. He spoke further about creative options for housing. Mr. Wilson Hunter spoke about flags being flown incorrectly above the Police Department. Mr. Garrett Trent, City resident, spoke in support of placing surplus funds into the Charlottesville Affordable Housing Fund (CAHF). Ms. Alysa Duncan, student at Piedmont Virginia Community College (PVCC), spoke about the city bus system and made several requests to enhance service for at PVCC. Ms. Kate Fraleigh spoke about surplus funds going toward the Police Civilian Review Board (PCRB), and thanked the City for having policies listed on the police website. She spoke about the police camera program and asked for specified information from the cameras that were placed near predominantly minority neighborhoods. She thanked Ms. Thomas for PCRB website access and asked about applications being posted for PCRB applicants. She spoke in support of affordable housing. Ms. Angel Turner, City resident, thanked Council for funds going toward affordable housing. She shared her personal story as related to becoming a homeowner through Habitat for Humanity, and statistics about home ownership in Charlottesville. Mr. Mason Pickett spoke in support of cameras in the community. He spoke about the economy. Ms. Vicki Bravo, City resident and representative for IMPACT (Interfaith Movement Promoting Action by Congregations Together), spoke about the use of surplus funds for the CAHF. Ms. Robin Hoffman, City resident, spoke about the Second Amendment demonstration in Richmond, as people who were interviewed spoke about Charlottesville. Ms. Susan Kruse, Executive Director for the Charlottesville Climate Collaborative and City resident, spoke in support of the We Are Still In initiative, a commitment to climate action. Ms. Rosia Parker spoke about cameras in the community. She asked why cameras were taken down. Ms. Tanesha Hudson spoke about due process as related to cameras in the community. She added that police should be held accountable to use their body cameras. She spoke in support of open interviews for Police Civilian Review Board positions. Mr. Elliott Harding, City resident, spoke about the Rumors of War commissioned statue by Kehinde Wiley in Richmond, Virginia, and recommended that Council reach out to him for placing a statue in Charlottesville. He spoke about the Second and Fourth Amendments and equal protection. Mr. Harold Folley, organizer for the Legal Aid Justice Center, asked Council to revisit the Initial CRB proposed bylaws regarding policy change. Ms. Walker closed public comment. 2. APPROPRIATION: Year-end appropriations (1st of 2 readings) Mr. Chris Cullinan, Director of Finance, joined by Budget staff, Ryan Davidson and Krisy Hammill, presented the report. He advised that the Unallocated Fund Balance in Excess of the Target and Reserves for Fiscal Year 2019 was $5,829,266. Ms. Hill and Ms. Magill asked a clarifying question regarding reserves. Ms. Walker shared comments on each line item. Mr. Payne asked about the Compensation Study and the goal. Mr. Snook also made comments on the salary study. Ms. Hill voiced concern about using one-time funds for ongoing allocations. Ms. Walker shared additional information about the Emergency Fund. In response to a question from Ms. Hill, Dr. Richardson advised against piecemealing compensation studies. Discussion ensued around City funds being available for unexpected expenses. Mr. Snook asked for the balance of the Equity Fund. Mr. Davidson advised that the funds are down to about $64,000. Mr. Snook asked about the criteria for expenditure of funds from the Equity Fund, and Mr. Davidson advised that there is no particular documentation for a process. Ms. Walker asked Human Resources Director Michele Vineyard to share her thoughts. Ms. Vineyard advised that short-term fixes over time have been the cause for the current salary disparity situation. Ms. Walker asked if there was support for staff to look at current data. Dr. Richardson asked for clarification on where to focus staff efforts as the priority presented to him initially was to do a compensation study. Guidance was given for staff to come back on February 3rd with additional information regarding Social Services programs. Ms. Magill asked for information on starting an emergency fund for employees. This item moved forward to the February 3, 2020, City Council meeting for a Public Hearing and second reading. 3. RESOLUTION: “We Are Still In” letter to General Assembly (1 reading) This item was added to the Agenda. Mr. Snook read the resolution. On motion by Mr. Snook, seconded by Ms. Magill, Council by the following vote APPROVED the resolution: 5-0 (Ayes: Hill, Magill, Payne, Snook, Walker; Noes: none). RESOLUTION ENDORSING THE WE ARE STILL IN LETTER TO THE VIRGINIA GENERAL ASSEMBLY WHEREAS, on June 19, 2017, the Charlottesville City Council adopted a Resolution endorsing the principles of the 2015 Paris Agreement within the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change; and WHEREAS, the Virginia General Assembly is considering a number of pieces of legislation that address the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, clean energy standards, greater customer access to cleaner energy, and policies and programs that reduce transportation-related emissions; and WHEREAS, the Charlottesville City Council’s 2020 Statement of Legislative Positions includes a number of provisions relating to clean energy including participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative; and WHEREAS, “We Are Still In” is a coalition of cities, universities, states, tribes, businesses, healthcare organizations, and faith groups that oppose the United States’ withdrawal from the 2015 Paris Agreement; and WHEREAS, We Are Still In is urging city and town councils in Virginia to endorse the attached letter to be sent to the Virginia General Assembly endorsing clean energy standards, greater customer access to cleaner energy, policies and programs that reduce transportation- related emissions, and to join the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Council of Charlottesville, Virginia hereby endorses the “We Are Still In” letter attached to this Resolution and asks the Mayor of Charlottesville to sign the correspondence on behalf of the Council and to send a copy to Delegate Sally L. Hudson and Senator R. Creigh Deeds. OTHER BUSINESS Mr. Peter Thompson, Executive Director of The Center at Belvedere, a senior center, shared a report with statistics for those served. He shared that the new location would open in April 2020. He advised that the goal is to help seniors remain independent as long as possible. Growth in services provided to local seniors has caused the non-profit organization to request public funding. He shared how the new space will be directly configured to meet the City’s strategic goals as set forth three years ago. MATTERS BY THE PUBLIC Ms. Walker opened the floor for public comment. With no one coming forward to speak, the meeting adjourned at 9:29 p.m. BY Order of City Council BY Kyna Thomas, Clerk of Council