CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING November 2, 2020 Virtual/electronic meeting 5:00 PM CLOSED MEETING The Charlottesville City Council met in an electronic meeting on Monday, October 5, 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 5:03 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 Councilor Snook, 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)(8) for consultation with legal counsel and legal advice regarding a matter relating to the City’s special events regulations, and by Section 2.2-3711(A)(2) for discussion of the award of a public contract to conduct a search for a new city manager, and discussion of the terms or scope of the contract. 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 6:31 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, October 5, 2020, in accordance with the local ordinance approved July 27, 2020 to ensure continuity of government and prevent the spread of disease. The following members were present: Mayor Nikuyah Walker, Vice Mayor Sena Magill, and Councilors Heather Hill, Michael Payne and Lloyd Snook. Mayor Walker called the meeting to order at 6:32 p.m. On motion by Vice Mayor Magill, seconded by Councilor Hill, Council unanimously adopted the meeting agenda. City Council observed a moment of silence. ANNOUNCEMENTS Dr. Denise Bonds, Thomas Jefferson Health District Director, provided an update on Covid-19 data. CONSENT AGENDA* Clerk of Council Kyna Thomas read the following Consent Agenda items into the record: MINUTES: September 21 closed and regular meetings, September 30 work session RESOLUTION: Measurements and Solutions Group reporting deadline extension RESOLUTION Whereas, on June 17, 2019, City Council established an advisory commission referred to as the “Measurements and Solutions Group” (M.S.G.) and set a timeline for the M.S.G. to complete its work and to report back to City Council in May 2020; and Whereas, due to constraints of the state of emergency caused by COVID-19, the M.S.G. was unable to meet to complete its work, and City Council desires to establish a new timeline for the M.S.G.’s work to be performed with a deadline of May 2021 for the group to make its report back to City Council; NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved by the Council of the City of Charlottesville, Virginia that: City Council hereby ratifies its June 17, 2019 Resolution establishing a Measurements & Solutions advisory Group (“M.S.G.”) to identify appropriate measurements, benchmarks, solutions and metrics for the designated priority areas (Jobs/Wages, Affordable Housing, Public Health Care, and Education) for use in The Vibrant Community Funding process by which the city funds nonprofit organizations, provided that, by approval of this Resolution, this advisory group shall have until May 2021 to complete its work and make its final report back to City Council. APPROPRIATION: Victim Witness Assistance Program Grant - $265,024 (2nd reading) APPROPRIATION Charlottesville Victim Witness Assistance Program Grant $265,024 WHEREAS, The City of Charlottesville, through the Commonwealth Attorney’s Office, has received an increase in the Victim Witness Program Grant from the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services in the amount of $224,024; and WHEREAS, the City is providing a supplement in the amount of $41,000, the source of which is the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s operating budget; NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the City of Charlottesville, Virginia that the sum of $224,024 is hereby appropriated in the following manner: Revenues $ 56,006 Fund: 209 Cost Center: 1414001000 G/L Account: 430110 $168,018 Fund: 209 Cost Center: 1414001000 G/L Account: 430120 $ 41,000 Fund: 209 Cost Center: 1414001000 G/L Account: 498010 Expenditures $251,000 Fund: 209 Cost Center: 1414001000 G/L Account: 519999 $ 14,024 Fund: 209 Cost Center: 1414001000 G/L Account: 599999 Transfer $ 41,000 Fund: 105 Cost Center: 1401001000 G/L Account: 561209 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this appropriation is conditioned upon the receipt of $224,024 from the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services. APPROPRIATION: Annie E. Casey Foundation Grant Award - $10,000 (2nd reading) APPROPRIATION Annie E. Casey Foundation - $10,000 WHEREAS, the City of Charlottesville has been awarded $10,000 from the Annie E. Casey Foundation; WHEREAS, the funds will be used to purchase equipment identified by the collaborating members of the capstone project cohort; NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the City of Charlottesville, Virginia, that the sum of $10,000 is hereby appropriated in the following manner: Revenue – $10,000 Fund: 210 Internal Order: 1900382 G/L Account: 431110 Expenditures - $10,000 Fund: 210 Internal Order: 1900382 G/L Account: 519999 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this appropriation is conditioned upon the receipt of $10,000 from the Annie E. Casey Foundation. APPROPRIATION: Virginia Juvenile Community Crime Control Act Grant (VJCCCA) - $452,704 (2nd reading) APPROPRIATION Virginia Juvenile Community Crime Control Act Grant (VJCCCA) - $452,704 WHEREAS, the City of Charlottesville has been awarded $292,058 from the Virginia Department of Juvenile Justice; and WHEREAS, this grant requires local maintenance of effort funds in the amount of $52,231 from Albemarle County and $108,415 from the City; and WHEREAS, the grant award covers the period from July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2021, NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the City of Charlottesville, Virginia, that the sum of $452,704 is hereby appropriated in the following manner: Revenue – $452,704 $292,058 Fund: 220 Cost Center: 3523001000 G/L Account: 430080 $52,231 Fund: 220 Cost Center: 3523001000 G/L Account: 432030 $108,415 Fund: 220 Cost Center: 3523001000 G/L Account: 498010 Expenditures - $452,704 $ 53,075 Fund: 220 Cost Center: 3523001000 G/L Account: 519999 $399,629 Fund: 220 Cost Center: 3523001000 G/L Account: 530010 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this appropriation is conditioned upon the receipt of $292,058 from Virginia Department of Juvenile Justice, and $52,231 from Albemarle County. ORDINANCE: Authorizing a Grant of Public Funding to Subsidize Construction of For-Rent Affordable Housing to be Occupied by Persons of Low and Moderate Income as Part of a Redevelopment of Public Housing (2nd reading): a. South First Street Phase One Redevelopment ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING A GRANT OF PUBLIC FUNDING TO SUBSIDIZE CONSTRUCTION OF FOR-RENT AFFORDABLE HOUSING TO BE OCCUPIED BY PERSONS OF LOW AND MODERATE INCOME AS PART OF A REDEVELOPMENT OF PUBLIC HOUSING (SOUTH FIRST STREET PHASE ONE REDEVELOPMENT) b. Crescent Halls Redevelopment ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING A GRANT OF PUBLIC FUNDING TO SUBSIDIZE CONSTRUCTION OF FOR-RENT AFFORDABLE HOUSING TO BE OCCUPIED BY PERSONS OF LOW AND MODERATE INCOME AS PART OF A REDEVELOPMENT OF PUBLIC HOUSING (CRESCENT HALLS RENOVATION/ REDEVELOPMENT) ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING A FORGIVABLE LOAN TO PIEDMONT HOUSING ALLIANCE TO SUPPORT REDEVELOPMENT OF FRIENDSHIP COURT FOR THE PURPOSE OF PRODUCING NEW HOUSING FOR LOW AND MODERATE INCOME PERSONS (2nd reading) APPROPRIATION: Housing Opportunities for People with AIDS/HIV (HOPWA) Covid Supplement- $20,050 (2nd reading) APPROPRIATION H.O.P.W.A. Grant $20,050 WHEREAS, The City of Charlottesville, through the Department of Human Services, has received the H.O.P.W.A. Grant from the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development in the amount of $20,050 NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the City of Charlottesville, Virginia that the sum of $20,050 is hereby appropriated in the following manner: Revenues $20,050 Fund: 209 IO: 1900390 (H.O.P.W.A.) G/L: 430120 Federal Pass-Thru State Expenditures $20,050 Fund: 209 IO: 1900390 (H.O.P.W.A.) G/L: 530550 Contracted Services BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this appropriation is conditioned upon receipt of $20,050 in funds from the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development. APPROPRIATION: Virginia Department of Education Special Nutrition Program Child and Adult Care Food Program - $30,000 (carried) APPROPRIATION: Virginia Outdoors Foundation Grant - Ragged Mountain Land Acquisition - $65,000 (carried) APPROPRIATION: Runaway Emergency Shelter Program Grant - $209,444.00 (carried) APPROPRIATION: Local Emergency Management Performance Grant (L.E.M.P.G.) - $7,500 (carried) Mayor Walker opened the floor for comment on the Consent Agenda. - Rex Linville spoke in support of the Virginia Outdoors Foundation appropriation of $65,000. On motion by Councilor Hill, seconded by Vice Mayor Magill, 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 the status of the Charlottesville City Schools reconfiguration, planning and design contract, he advised that it was in negotiation with hopes of concluding negotiations by the end of the year and starting work on the project in January 2021. 2. He also shared dates for upcoming meetings: November 10 joint work session with City Council and the Planning Commission; and November 12 City Council work session to review the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). COMMUNITY MATTERS The following members of the public spoke during Community Matters: Marcia Geyer, city resident, spoke about the need for a collective effort to address climate action locally, recommending a climate action board. Tanesha Hudson spoke on behalf of Ms. Benta Rose, regarding a petition to make changes to 5th Street following a traffic fatality. She commented about follow-up from Police Chief Brackney. She also spoke about opening meetings physically to the public. Neal Halvorson-Taylor, city resident and parish priest, spoke in support of city efforts related to climate change and he encouraged making the climate action plan a priority. Nancy Carpenter spoke in support of moratoriums on evictions as ways to fight the spread of the Covid-19 virus. Gloria Beard asked if measures had been put in place to protect voters at the election polls on November 3. She asked about community policing and about plans for streets around Dairy Central. - Councilor Hill advised of community engagement plans for 10th & Page. - Mr. Blair shared that the city’s Critical Incident Management Team has been monitoring the election. Rosia Parker asked about vacant public housing, and about missing lights and unkept grounds in Westhaven. She spoke about the unhoused population and about a vacant seat on the Police Civilian Review Board. Don Gathers, city resident, asked about plans for safety surrounding the Presidential election. He asked about making the voting process easier for people waiting in line. Matthew Gillikin spoke about the 5th Street extended petition to address safety issues and asked that consideration be given to projects that could be implemented in the short-term or mid- term. John Hall asked about a vaccine for COVID-19 and ways to disinfect. He also spoke about composting. ACTION ITEMS ORDINANCE: Amendment to the text of Chapter 34 (Zoning Ordinance) of the City of Charlottesville, 1990, as amended, to provide updates to family day home uses (carried) Missy Creasy, Deputy Director for Neighborhood Development Services, presented the report and provided responses to questions raised by Mayor Walker. Council agreed to move the item forward to the November 16 Consent Agenda. ALLOCATION: Bridge Ministry Request for Allocation of $54,750 of Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Contingency Reserve Chris Cullinan, Director of Finance, presented the report as follow-up to discussion from the October 19 City Council meeting. Kaki Dimock, Director of Human Services, and Mr. Cullinan addressed Council questions and concerns. On motion by Councilor Hill, seconded by Councilor Snook, Council by the following vote APPROVED the allocation: 5-0 (Ayes: Hill, Magill, Payne, Snook, Walker; Noes: none). The meeting recessed at 7:53 p.m. and reconvened at 8:11 p.m. GENERAL BUSINESS REPORT: Update on Unmarked Burials Near the Gilmer/Craven/Hotopp Cemetery at Pen Park Jeff Werner, Historic Preservation and Design Planner, presented the report, providing historical information and data from geological findings. Ben Ford of Rivanna Archaeological Services, LLC, shared information about research options and resources, including local institutions such as Monticello, Montpelier and the University of Virginia, which have individuals who have done in-depth genealogical studies that may be able to provide information to identify individuals who may be buried at this cemetery. Mr. Werner advised that significant resources would be needed to move the project forward and it would take time to determine next steps and the extent of the work to be done. He advised that the area would not be disturbed and there would be a process for memorializing the area with legal documentation. REPORT: Mapping Cville Update Jordy Yager, representing the Jefferson School Heritage Center, shared an update on the Mapping Cville project, and acknowledged the collective efforts of individuals who have helped with research. He shared information about racially restrictive covenants contained in the Charlottesville City Code and in real estate deeds, and he noted the widespread nature of such covenants. He shared information about inequalities related to life expectancy, over- policing, redlining, generational wealth and other life outcomes based on location of residence. Mr. Yager shared outreach efforts, local educational programming, and student feedback. He shared that to date, approximately 17 percent of covenants (1903-1933) have been mapped of those who were affected by race-restricted covenants. Mr. Yager shared the relation of covenants to local zoning designations. Councilors voiced support for the project and the need to help move the work forward, as Charlottesville is one of three localities in the nation working on such a project. OTHER BUSINESS Councilors encouraged citizens to vote on November 3rd. MATTERS BY THE PUBLIC Mayor Walker opened the floor for comments from the public. Brandon Collins, city resident, encouraged Council to dig in deeper to the work being done with the Mapping Cville project and to find ways to address the findings. The meeting adjourned at 9:20 p.m. BY Order of City Council BY Kyna Thomas, Clerk of Council