CITY COUNCIL MEETING November 16, 2020 Virtual/electronic meeting 5:30 PM CLOSED MEETING The Charlottesville City Council met in an electronic meeting on Monday, November 16, 2020, in accordance with a local ordinance approved July 27, 2020 to ensure continuity of government and prevent the spread of disease. Mayor Nikuyah Walker called the meeting to order at 5:31 p.m. with the following members present: Mayor Nikuyah Walker, Vice Mayor Sena Magill, and Councilors Heather Hill, Michael Payne and Lloyd Snook. On motion by Councilor Hill, seconded by Vice Mayor 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: - section 2.2-3711(A)(1), for discussion and consideration of the performance of the acting city manager; and - section 2.2-3711(A)(3), for discussion or consideration of the disposition of a lease of space office within the Market Street parking garage structure to a specific entity, where discussion in an open meeting would adversely affect the negotiating strategy of the City; and - section 2.2-3711(A)(29) for discussion of the award of a public contract to conduct the search for a new city manager, and discussion of the terms or scope of the contract, where discussion in an open meeting would adversely affect the bargaining position or negotiating strategy of the City. On motion by Councilor Hill, seconded by Councilor Snook, 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 adjourned at 6:30 p.m. BY Order of City Council BY Kyna Thomas, Clerk of Council 6:30 PM REGULAR MEETING The Charlottesville City Council met virtually/electronically in regular session on Monday, November 16, 2020, in accordance with the local ordinance approved July 27, 2020 to ensure continuity of government and prevent the spread of disease. Mayor Walker called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. with the following members present: Mayor Nikuyah Walker, Vice Mayor Sena Magill, and Councilors Heather Hill, Michael Payne and Lloyd Snook. City Council observed a moment of silence. On motion by Vice Mayor Magill, seconded by Councilor Hill, Council unanimously adopted the meeting agenda. ANNOUNCEMENTS Vice Mayor Magill reminded the public to be aware of Governor Northam's new Covid- 19 requirements effective November 15. CONSENT AGENDA* Clerk of Council Kyna Thomas read the following Consent Agenda items into the record: APPROPRIATION: Virginia Department of Education Special Nutrition Program Child and Adult Care Food Program - $30,000 (2nd reading) APPROPRIATION Virginia Department of Education Special Nutrition Program Child and Adult Care Food Program - $30,000 WHEREAS, the City of Charlottesville, through Parks and Recreation, has received approval for reimbursement up to $30,000 from the Virginia Department of Education Special Nutrition Program to provide free dinner to children attending select drop-in afterschool centers; and WHEREAS, the grant award covers the period from period October 1, 2020 through September 30, 2021; NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the City of Charlottesville, Virginia that the sum of $30,000, received from the Virginia Department of Education Special Nutrition Program is hereby appropriated in the following manner: Revenue – $ 30,000 Fund: 209 Internal Order: 1900342 G/L Account: 430120 Expenditures - $30,000 Fund: 209 Internal Order: 1900342 G/L Account: 530670 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this appropriation is conditioned upon the receipt of $30,000 from the Virginia Department of Education Special Nutrition Program. APPROPRIATION:Virginia Outdoors Foundation Grant - Ragged Mountain Land Acquisition - $65,000 (2nd reading) APPROPRIATION Virginia Outdoors Foundation Grant – Ragged Mountain Land Acquisition $65,000 WHEREAS, the City of Charlottesville, through Parks and Recreation, has been awarded $65,000 from the Virginia Outdoors Foundation to acquire 5 acres of undeveloped forested land adjacent to the Ragged Mountain Reservoir Property; and WHEREAS, the match for this grant will come from the remainder of a previous USDA grant award; and WHEREAS, the grant funding will be passed through the parkland acquisition account and paid to the property owner; Revenue $65,000 Fund: 426 WBS: P-00534 G/L Account: 431110 Expenditures $65,000 Fund: 426 WBS: P-00534 G/L Account: 599999 NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the City of Charlottesville, Virginia, that the sum of $65,000 is hereby appropriated in the following manner: BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this appropriation is conditioned upon the receipt of $65,000 from the Virginia Outdoors Foundation. 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, 2020 through September 29, 2021; 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:1900391 G/L Account: 431110 $ 9,444 Fund: 211 Internal Order:1900391 G/L Account: 498010 Expenditures - $209,444 $ 69,948 Fund: 211 Internal Order:1900391 G/L Account: 519999 $125,000 Fund: 211 Internal Order:1900391 G/L Account: 530010 $ 14,496 Fund: 211 Internal Order:1900391 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. APPROPRIATION: Local Emergency Management Performance Grant (L.E.M.P.G.) - $7,500 (2nd reading) APPROPRIATION 2019 Local Emergency Management Performance Grant (LEMPG) - $7,500 WHEREAS, the City of Charlottesville has received funds from the Virginia Department of Emergency Management in the amount of $7,500 in federal pass through funds and $7,500 in local in-kind match, provided by the Charlottesville-UVA-Albemarle Emergency Communications Center Office of Emergency Management; and WHEREAS, the funds will be used to support programs provided by the Office of Emergency Management; and WHEREAS, the grant award covers the period from July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2020; NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the City of Charlottesville, Virginia, that the sum of $7,500 is hereby appropriated in the following manner: Revenue – $7,500 $7,500 Fund: 209 I/O: 1900380 G/L: 430120 State/Fed pass thru Expenditures - $7,500 $7,500 Fund: 209 I/O: 1900380 G/L: 510010 Salaries BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this appropriation is conditioned upon the receipt of $7,500 from the Virginia Department of Emergency Management, and the matching in-kind funds from the Charlottesville-UVA-Albemarle Emergency Communications Center Office of Emergency Management. ORDINANCE: Amendment to the text of Chapter 34 (Zoning Ordinance) of the City of Charlottesville, 1990, as amended, to provide updates to family dayhome uses (2nd reading) ORDINANCE AMENDING AND RE-ENACTING THE CODE OF THE CITY OF CHARLOTTESVILLE, CHAPTER 34 (ZONING) TO ESTABLISH UPDATED REGULATIONS FOR FAMILY DAY HOMES Mayor Walker opened the floor for comment on the Consent Agenda. No one came forward to speak. Mayor Walker commented about the Family Day Home Ordinance being presented during the Covid-19 pandemic and asked for future flexibility in providing help to those in need. On motion by Councilor Hill, seconded by Councilor 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 (FROM PREVIOUS MEETINGS) Acting City Manager John Blair shared an update on the following community matters: 1. Regarding a question about Chief Brackney meeting with Ms. Rose, he advised that Chief Brackney met twice with Ms. Rose. 2. Regarding Council restarting in-person meetings, he advised that other local public bodies have no plans to start in- person meetings soon. 3. He advised that the Governor's Covid-19 Executive Order that went into effect on November 15, would take precedence over the City's Ordinance enacted on July 27, 2020, and that Council would need to change the local ordinance to bring it into compliance with the State Executive Order. 4. Regarding the 200 Carlton Avenue Site Plan conference, he advised that registration wold open on November 17 for the webinar via the Zoom platform. Mayor Walker spoke of safety concerns for in-person meetings and the need for staff to telework when possible. She was supportive of more restrictive measures to mitigate Covid-19. COMMUNITY MATTERS The following members of the public spoke during Community Matters: Deborah Lawrence, city resident and environmental scientist at the University of Virginia spoke about addressing climate change now. Peter Krebs, city resident and representative of the Piedmont Environmental Council, spoke about road traffic safety. Susan Kruse, Executive Director of Community Climate Collaborative, spoke about the need to incorporate climate leadership in the Comprehensive Plan and the Strategic Plan. Tanesha Hudson spoke about traffic issues at 5th Street, and the most recent Freedom of Information request that she made. Andy Orban, city resident, spoke about safety concerns with the 5th Street extended corridor, and shared suggestions for design. Kristen Lucas, city resident, spoke about the 5th Street traffic study, and spoke in support of changes in design. Rory Stolzenberg, city resident, asked questions about the parking fund in the City Budget. Joan Albiston, city resident, spoke about traffic safety suggestions for 5th Street. JoAnn Robertson shared commendation for Voter Registrar Melissa Morton and former City Manager Tarron Richardson. She spoke about the community desire for police to be more connected to the community. Robin Hoffman spoke about indoor air quality and about a technology event that she attended at the University of Virginia. ACTION ITEMS ALLOCATION: Employee Assistance Proposal Kaki Dimock, Director of Human Services, shared the staff recommendation for approval to use remaining CARES Contingency Reserve Funds in the amount of $100,000 to provide financial assistance to city employees laid off due to the reduction in force made necessary by the COVID-19 pandemic. Ms. Dimock and Chris Cullinan, Director of Finance, answered questions from Council regarding requests for assistance from the public and employees with reduction in work hours. On motion by Councilor Hill, seconded by Vice Mayor Magill, Council by the following vote APPROVED the allocation: 5-0 (Ayes: Hill, Magill, Payne, Snook, Walker; Noes: none). The meeting recessed at 7:24 p.m. and reconvened at 7:40 p.m. GENERAL BUSINESS REPORT: Traffic safety report Brennen Duncan, Traffic Engineer, presented the Traffic Safety Report, addressing three main issues: • a petition sent to City Council on July 24, 2020, for traffic calming along Cherry Avenue • an issue brought up on September 14, 2020, regarding traffic calming issues on Willard Drive in the Fry Spring neighborhood, and • safety along 5th Street, particularly between Harris Road and Cherry/Elliot Avenue. He shared costs for short-term and mid-term solutions and advised that long-term solutions would be difficult to quantify. He also addressed Council concerns. David Brown, Director of Public Works, commented that based on studies and industry standards, items that are not warranted would not be included in recommendations. He advised that recommendations are based on conditions observed. Council agreed to hear a comment from Ms. Benta Rose, whose son was one of the fatalities on 5th Street in 2020. She asked about making the turns from driveways more visible to oncoming traffic. Mr. Duncan advised that perhaps lighting below the tree canopy could help. He advised of work being done over the next couple of moths to include signage and traffic signaling. Mr. Blair acknowledged staff from other departments who helped to put together the Traffic Safety Report. REPORT: City logo discussion Mr. Blair shared the staff report and asked Council's desire. He advised that staff would need to advise of costs that would be incurred per department to replace the logo. He asked Council to consider options for developing a new logo, including conducting a contest, as was done in 1971 to develop the current logo, or hiring a professional designer. Councilors voiced support for a logo change and indicated a desire to delay using resources and staff time to engage in the overhaul of the city logo at this time, given other priorities. They agreed to revisit the issue in six months, sometime around June. OTHER BUSINESS Mayor Walker introduced the idea of a possible change of day for City Council meetings. Council decided to leave meetings on Mondays. Councilor Hill suggested canceling the December 21st or January 4th meeting. Council agreed to take action on December 21st to cancel the January 4th meeting. MATTERS BY THE PUBLIC Tanesha Hudson spoke about 5th Street, suggesting that cameras be installed, and advising that tree limbs need to be cut. Andy Orban spoke about looking more holistically at bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure options during and after Covid-19. Nancy Carpenter, city resident, spoke in support of the allocation of employee assistance funds. She also spoke about 5th Street traffic concerns and about General Assembly legislation passed regarding police civilian review panels. Joan Albiston requested that side triangles at the intersection of Harris Road and 5th Street be re-examined. Mr. Duncan provided a response. Benta Rose asked about the necessity of the number of trees along the 5th Street corridor. Mayor Walker asked that Mr. Duncan provide a response since he was still on the call. Don Gathers, city resident, spoke about 5th Street traffic concerns. Mayor Walker adjourned the meeting at 9:34 p.m. BY Order of City Council BY Kyna Thomas, Clerk of Council Approved by Council January 19, 2021 Kyna Thomas, CMC Clerk of Council