CHARLOTTESVILLE CITY COUNCIL MEETING July 19, 2021 Virtual/electronic meeting via Zoom 4:00 PM WORK SESSION Pursuant to Virginia Code Section 2.2-3712, the Charlottesville City Council met in work session on Monday, July 19, 2021, to hear reports. The meeting was held electronically pursuant to a local ordinance amended and re-enacted on April 19, 2021, to ensure the continuity of government and prevent the spread of disease during the coronavirus State of Emergency. Mayor Walker called to order at 4:01 p.m. and Clerk of Council Kyna Thomas called the roll, noting the following members present: Mayor Nikuyah Walker, Vice Mayor Sena Magill, and Councilors Heather Hill, Michael Payne, and Lloyd Snook. REPORTS 1. Report: Juvenile Justice Reform Process Over a year ago, the 16th District Court Services Unit, together with its partners, including Charlottesville Police Department, Department of Human Services, Charlottesville Commonwealth Attorney’s Office, Judge David Barredo, and the Virginia Department of Juvenile Justice, was awarded one of seven opportunities to participate in a juvenile probation transformation project with the Center for Juvenile Justice Reform at Georgetown University, supported by the Annie E. Casey Foundation. Hunter Smith, Human Services Planner with the Department of Human Services, introduced other representatives from the multi-agency collaboration group: • Opal West, Program Associate Juvenile Justice Strategy Group Center for Systems Innovation with The Annie E. Casey Foundation; • Judge David Barredo with the 16th District Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court; • Christa Galleo, Probation Supervisor with the 16th District Court Services Unit; • Marc Moore, Intake Supervisor with the 16th District Court Services Unit; • Martha Carroll, Director of the 16th District Court Services Unit; • Jenna Easton, Program Manager with the Virginia Department of Juvenile Justice; • Joey Lewis, Sergeant with the Charlottesville Police Department; • Andrew Wilder with the Charlottesville Commonwealth’s Attorney’s office and Mr. Smith then presented a report on progress made to date and the support needed from City Council moving forward. Ms. West gave a high-level overview of probation transformation and technical assistance from the Casey Foundation. Ms. Carroll reviewed Charlottesville's current efforts and defined the purpose: to examine current policies and practices of the Probation/System and together propose solutions for better outcomes. She shared that the workgroup engaged in a five-part series of convenings led by the Casey Foundation with an average of 90 participants each session including system stakeholders, community partners and court practitioners such as judge, prosecution, and defense. Ms. Galleo shared information about continuing efforts such as: - Improving current practices through a race equity lens to determine how youth are doing and in what ways the system is accountable. - Learning from those most affected by the system by including youth voice, family voice, and community voice. - Improving and emphasizing family engagement – preserving and elevating the family, empowering families with what they need and want, and including them in decision making. - Changing the system culture of the how, what, and why of operation. Mr. Moore spoke about expected outcomes to include: • Better outcomes for youth who truly need intervention – Isolate probation and make improvements where indicated – Reduce violations that result in confinement and placement – Give young people opportunities to grow and thrive – Prepare them for healthy adulthood by supporting them through maturation Mr. Smith reviewed the need for support to continue the work and emphasized that the group was not requesting funding from Council at the time. In response to questions from Councilors, group members provided clarification and additional explanation about family engagement efforts, reduction in bookings, and pre-booking diversion efforts. Mr. Moore advised that probation officers had less than twelve cases each at the moment and provided context that smaller caseloads for more serious offenses would allow officers to provide more comprehensive services. Vice Mayor Magill expressed concern about addressing youth with mental health issues. Mayor Walker asked about pre-arrest diversion plan and about the plan in Ohio. Mr. Smith advised that a plan was developed with a Memorandum of Understanding with the Police Department and had not yet been implemented. Ms. West shared information about the Ohio plan. PUBLIC COMMENT Mayor Walker opened the floor for comments from the public. - Katrina Turner, city resident, spoke about a family situation and the need to keep black fathers in their homes. CLOSED MEETING MOTION 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 Clerk of City Council; and - Section 2.2-3711(A)(7), for consultation with legal counsel and briefings by staff pertaining to litigation pending in Charlottesville Circuit Court, Case no. CL21-116, because consultation or briefing in the open meeting would adversely affect the negotiating or litigating posture of the City. The work session adjourned at 4:52 p.m. and Council convened in closed session. BY Order of City Council BY Kyna Thomas, Clerk of Council Approved by Council August 16, 2021 Kyna Thomas, MMC Clerk of Council