CHARLOTTESVILLE CITY COUNCIL May 18, 2020 Minutes Virtual/electronic meeting 5:30 PM CLOSED MEETING The Charlottesville City Council met electronically on Monday, May 18, 2020. The meeting was called to order at 5:31 p.m. with the following members present: Mayor Nikuyah Walker, Vice Mayor Sena Magill, Ms. Heather Hill, Mr. Michael Payne and Mr. Lloyd Snook. On motion by Ms. Hill, seconded by Ms. Magill, Council voted 5-0 (Ayes: Hill, Magill, Payne, Snook, Walker. Noes: none) to meet in closed session as authorized by Virginia Code Sections 2.2-3711 and 2.2-3712, specifically: - as authorized by Virginia Code Section 2.2-3711(A)(1) for discussion of the performance of the Charlottesville City Manager, Charlottesville City Attorney, and Charlottesville Clerk of Council; and - as authorized by Virginia Code Section 2.2-3711(A)(8) for consultation with legal counsel from the Office of the City Attorney to discuss legal matters related to ordinance compliance and public hearings. On motion by Ms. Hill, seconded by Ms. Magill, Council certified by the following vote: 5-0 (Ayes: Hill, Magill, Payne, Snook, Walker. Noes: none), that to the best of each Council member’s knowledge only public business matters lawfully exempted from the open meeting requirements of the Virginia Freedom of Information Act and identified in the Motion convening the closed session were heard, discussed or considered in the closed session. The meeting was adjourned at 6:34 p.m. 6:30 PM REGULAR MEETING The Charlottesville City Council held a virtual meeting for its regular session on May 18, 2020, in an effort to comply with social distancing requirements surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic Declaration of Emergency. Ms. Walker called the meeting to order at 6:35 p.m. with the following members in attendance: Mayor Nikuyah Walker, Vice Mayor Sena Magill, Ms. Heather Hill, Mr. Michael Payne and Mr. Lloyd Snook. Ms. Walker called for a Moment of Silence, replacing the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag, during virtual meetings. On motion by Ms. Hill, seconded by Ms. Magill, Council by unanimous vote amended the meeting agenda, adding an ordinance temporarily suspending enforcement of on-site parking requirements for discussion during the Action Items section of the meeting. On motion by Ms. Magill, seconded by Ms. Hill, Council by unanimous vote approved the meeting agenda as amended. RECOGNITIONS Mayor Walker acknowledged City Manager Tarron Richardson’s one year anniversary with the City of Charlottesville. CONSENT AGENDA* Clerk of Council Kyna Thomas read the following Consent Agenda items into the record: 1. MINUTES: May 4, 2020 City Council closed and regular meetings; May 6, 2020 budget work session 2. APPROPRIATION: Appropriation of CARES Act relief fund payment for the Fire Department - $58, 201.02 (2nd reading) APPROPRIATION Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) Provider Relief Fund - $58,201.02 WHEREAS, the US Department of Health and Human Services has awarded a relief payment to the Fire Department, through the City of Charlottesville, specifically for coronavirus planning and response applications; NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the City of Charlottesville, Virginia, that a total of $58,201.02 be appropriated in the following manner: Revenues - $58,201.02 $58,201.02 Fund: 105 I/O: 2000158 G/L Account: 431130 Expenditures - $58,201.02 $58,201.02 Fund: 105 I/O: 2000158 G/L Account: 599999 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this appropriation is conditioned upon the receipt of $58,201.02 from the US Department of Health and Human Services. 3. APPROPRIATION: Appropriation from Department of Human Services Fund Balance for the Pathways/Community Resource Hotline - $400,000 (carried) 4. ORDINANCE: Homeowner Tax Relief Grant – 2020 AN ORDINANCE TO ESTABLISH A GRANT PROGRAM TO PROMOTE AND PRESERVE HOM - AND MODERATE-INCOME PERSONS WITHIN THE CITY OF CHARLOTTESVILLE On motion by Ms. Magill, seconded by Mr. Snook, Council by the following vote APPROVED the Consent Agenda: 5-0 (Ayes: Hill, Magill, Payne, Snook, Walker. Noes: none). CITY MANAGER RESPONSE TO COMMUNITY MATTERS Dr. Richardson thanked the public for work during COVID-19 and for what appeared to be a successful reopening of businesses. COMMUNITY MATTERS Ms. Walker opened the floor for public comment. Ms. Tanesha Hudson spoke about the City Manager position and upcoming performance evaluation. Ms. Vikki Bravo, City resident, and member of IMPACT (Interfaith Movement Promoting Action by Congregations Together), spoke about affordable housing as a part of recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, and asked for funding. Ms. Elizabeth Carpenter spoke in support of funding for affordable housing. Ms. Nancy Carpenter, City resident, spoke about the Police Civilian Review Board and about Vibrant Community Funds. Mr. Don Gathers spoke about the City Manager position and upcoming performance evaluation. He asked that certain boards and commissions begin to meet again. He also spoke about funding for affordable housing. Mr. Walt Heinecke spoke about getting boards and commissions back up and running to address equity issues, particularly the Police Civilian Review Board. He asked about public subsidy of monthly private parking. Ms. Sheila Herlihy, City resident, representing IMPACT, spoke about the funding of affordable housing. Ms. Carrie Ellwood, City employee, spoke in support of the survey that was sent to employees for evaluation of the City Manager and City Council. ACTION ITEMS PUBLIC HEARING ON CITY COUNCIL’S PROPOSED BUDGET/FIRST READING OF FY 2021 BUDGET (carried) Dr. Richardson presented the FY2021 City Council Proposed Budget. Ms. Hill asked about the status of bondable projects. Ms. Krisy Hammill advised that a bond sale would likely occur within the next month or two with projects being evaluated on a project-by-project basis. Mr. Payne spoke about affordable housing funds and prioritizing bondable projects. Ms. Walker opened the public hearing. Mr. Walt Heinecke, City resident, spoke about equity issues related to funding affordable housing. Mr. Peter Krebs thanked Council and staff for work on the budget and encouraged creativity during the budget process. Mr. Jay James, City resident, spoke about the Bridge Ministry and the opportunity to apply for City funding. With no additional speakers coming forward, Ms. Walker closed the public hearing. Council discussed the budget shortfall due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Commissioner of the Revenue Todd Divers spoke of Virginia First Cities estimates and advised that numbers at the local level take into account more detail and therefore are more accurate. On motion by Ms. Hill, seconded by Mr. Snook, Council by the following vote AMENDED the proposed budget and appropriation ordinance to add funding for City Schools and the Department of Social Services as discussed: 5-0 (Ayes: Hill, Magill, Payne, Snook, Walker. Noes: none). Council unanimously agreed to move the FY 2021 Budget approval and appropriations forward to the June 1, 2020 City Council consent agenda. APPROPRIATION*: Approval and Appropriation of CDBG and HOME Budget Allocations for FY 2020-2021 (2 reading) Ms. Erin Atak, Grants Coordinator, provided a brief summary of the item and answered questions for Council. a. Appropriation of funds for the City of Charlottesville 2020-2021 CDBG - $419,367 On motion by Ms. Hill, seconded by Mr. Payne, Council by the following vote APPROVED the appropriation: 4-1 (Ayes: Hill, Magill, Payne, Snook. Noes: Walker). APPROPRIATION OF FUNDS FOR THE CITY OF CHARLOTTESVILLE'S 2020-2021 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT - $419,367 WHEREAS, the City of Charlottesville has been advised of the approval by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development of a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) for the 2020-2021 fiscal year in the total amount of $432,691 that includes new entitlement from HUD amounting to $419,367, and previous entitlement made available through reprogramming of $13,324. WHEREAS, City Council has received recommendations for the expenditure of funds from the CDBG/HOME Task Force, the SAT; and has conducted a public hearing thereon as provided by law; now, therefore; BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of Charlottesville, Virginia, that the sums hereinafter set forth are hereby appropriated from funds received from the aforesaid grant to the following individual expenditure accounts in the Community Development Block Grant Fund for the respective purposes set forth; provided, however, that the City Manager is hereby authorized to transfer funds between and among such individual accounts as circumstances may require, to the extent permitted by applicable federal grant regulations. PRIORITY NEIGHBORHOOD Ridge Street Priority Neighborhood $201,912.90 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Community Investment Collaborative Scholarships $15,000 PUBLIC SERVICE PROGRAMS TJACH – Coordinated Entry System $53,345.58 HOUSING PROJECTS AHIP – Homeowner Rehab $78,550.12 ADMINISTRATION AND PLANNING: Admin and Planning $83,873.40 TOTAL $432,691 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this appropriation is conditioned upon the receipt of $419,367 from the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Should the total actual amount of entitlement received differ from the appropriated amount, all appropriated amounts may be administratively increased/reduced at the same pro-rated percentage of change between the estimated entitlement and the actual entitlement. The total appropriated amount will not to exceed 2.5% total change, nor will any agency or program increase more than their initial funding request, without further action from City Council. The amounts so appropriated as grants to other public agencies and private non-profit, charitable organizations (sub-recipients) are for the sole purpose stated. The City Manager is authorized to enter into agreements with those agencies and organizations as he may deem advisable to ensure that the grants are expended for the intended purposes, and in accordance with applicable federal laws and regulations; and b. Appropriation of funds for the City of Charlottesville’s 2020-2021 HOME funds - $127,210.56 On motion by Ms. Hill, seconded by Mr. Snook, Council by the following vote APPROVED the appropriation: 4-1 (Ayes: Hill, Magill, Payne, Snook. Noes: Walker). APPROPRIATION OF FUNDS FORTHE CITY OF CHARLOTTESVILLE’S 2020-2021 HOME FUNDS $127,210.56 WHEREAS, the City of Charlottesville has been advised of the approval by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development of HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME) funding for the 2020-2021 fiscal year; WHEREAS, the region is receiving an award for HOME funds for fiscal year 20-21 of which the City will receive $80,594 to be expended on affordable housing initiatives such as homeowner rehab and downpayment assistance. WHEREAS, it is a requirement of this grant that projects funded with HOME initiatives money be matched with local funding in varying degrees; BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the City of Charlottesville, Virginia that the local match for the above listed programs will be covered by the a surplus of match from previous appropriations from the Charlottesville Housing Fund (account CP-0084 in SAP system) in the amount of $20,148.50. Project totals also include previous entitlement made available through program income of $26,468.06. The total of the HUD money, program income, and the local match, equals $127,210.56 and will be distributed as shown below. PROJECTS HOME EN PI MATCH TOTAL AHIP-Homeowner Rehab $33,507.84 $13,234.03 $10,074.25 $56,816.12 Habitat for Humanity-DPA $47,086.16 $13,234.03 $10,074.25 $70,394.44 Total $80,594 $26,468.06 $20,148.50 $127,210.56 * includes Program Income which does not require local match. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this appropriation is conditioned upon the receipt of $80,594 from the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Should the total actual amount of entitlement received differ from the appropriated amount, all appropriated amounts may be administratively increased/reduced at the same pro-rated percentage of change between the estimated entitlement and the actual entitlement. The total appropriated amount will not to exceed 2.5% total change, nor will any agency or program increase more than their initial funding request, without further action from City Council. The amounts so appropriated as grants to other public agencies and private non-profit, charitable organizations (subrecipients) are for the sole purpose stated. The City Manager is authorized to enter into agreements with those agencies and organizations as he may deem advisable to ensure that the grants are expended for the intended purposes, and in accordance with applicable federal and state laws and regulations; and The City Manager, the Directors of Finance or Neighborhood Development Services, and staff are authorized to establish administrative procedures and provide for mutual assistance in the execution of the programs. The City Manager, the Directors of Finance or Neighborhood Development Services, and staff are authorized to establish administrative procedures and provide for mutual assistance in the execution of the programs. c. Appropriation amendment to CDBG account reprogramming of funds for FY 20-21 - $13,324 On motion by Ms. Hill, seconded by Mr. Snook, Council by the following vote APPROVED the appropriation: 5-0 (Ayes: Hill, Magill, Payne, Snook, Payne. Noes: none). APPROPRIATION AMENDMENT TO COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT ACCOUNT Reprogramming of Funds for FY 20-21 WHEREAS, Council has previously approved the appropriation of certain sums of federal grant receipts to specific accounts in the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds; and WHEREAS, it now appears that these funds have not been spent and need to be reprogrammed, and therefore, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the City of Charlottesville, Virginia that appropriations made to the following expenditure accounts in the CDBG fund are hereby reduced or increased by the respective amounts shown, and the balance accumulated in the Fund as a result of these adjustments is hereby re-appropriated to the respective accounts shown as follows: Program Account Code Purpose Proposed Proposed Proposed Year Revised Revised Revised Reduction Addition Appropriation 19-20 1900330 OED GO Utilities $13,324 20-21 Priority Neighborhood $13,324 $13,324 TOTALS: $13,324 $13,324 $13,324 *Item added to Agenda: ORDINANCE TEMPORARILY SUSPENDING ENFORCEMENT OF ON-SITE PARKING REQUIREMENTS for the duration of Executive Order 61 issued by Governor Northam Mr. Blair introduced the item, and Mr. Alex Ikefuna, Director of Neighborhood Development Services, shared additional information. After discussion, on motion by Ms. Hill and seconded by Mr. Snook, Council by the following vote APPROVED the Ordinance: 5-0 (Ayes: Hill, Magill, Payne, Snook, Walker. Noes: none). This Ordinance became effective with one reading after receiving at least four-fifths vote in favor. The meeting recessed at 8:03 p.m. The meeting reconvened at 8:21 p.m. OTHER BUSINESS REPORT: Boards and Commissions electronic meetings during COVID-19 Declaration of Emergency Council reviewed input from select boards and commissions regarding feasibility of conducting virtual meetings during the COVID-19 Declaration of Emergency. Staff provided additional information for consideration of scheduling and anticipated support needs. On motion by Ms. Hill, seconded by Ms. Magill, Council unanimously voted in support of Zoom webinar meetings for the following with staff support: Board of Architectural Review, Board of Equalization, Community Development Block Grant Task Force, Charlottesville Redevelopment and Housing Authority, Electoral Board, Housing Advisory Committee, Human Rights Commission, Planning Commission and Retirement Commission. Ms. Hill asked about revisiting monthly work session programming. Ms. Walker advised that the strategic planning meeting should be prioritized and that work sessions would be discussed at an upcoming City Council meeting. Ms. Walker advised that she has been working with the Commissioner of the Revenue and City Treasurer to develop a proposal for disbursement of remaining funds in the Charlottesville Housing Affordability Program for FY 2020, and a proposal for December taxes. She stated that the proposal would be presented at a June City Council meeting. MATTERS BY THE PUBLIC Ms. Walker opened the floor for public comment. Mr. Rory Stolzenberg spoke about the parking requirement waiver approved earlier in the meeting related to Governor Northam’s Executive Order 61. He also spoke about Council 2-2-1 meetings and Comprehensive Plan webinars beginning. Mr. Walt Heinecke spoke about Council’s efforts to be equitable in making meetings transparent. He asked Council to provide specific guidance to the Human Rights Commission related to addressing COVID-19 issues. Mr. Brandon Collins spoke about coordination and a collaborative strategy for addressing affordable housing. Ms. Tanesha Hudson spoke about evaluation of the City Manager, and asked about evaluation of the Police Chief. Ms. Walker provided a response. Ms. Nancy Carpenter spoke about funding for PHAR (Public Housing Association of Residents). Ms. Joy Johnson, City resident, spoke about the PHAR application for funding and priority neighborhoods. Mr. Payne provided a response. Dr. Richardson and Senior Budget Analyst Krisy Hammill clarified an error in the local newspaper related to the budget. The meeting adjourned at 10:09 p.m. BY Order of City Council BY Kyna Thomas, Clerk of Council