CHARLOTTESVILLE CITY COUNCIL
                                     WORK SESSION
                                       March 15, 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, March 15, 2021, to hear reports. The meeting was held electronically
pursuant to local ordinances to ensure the continuity of government and prevent the spread of
disease during the coronavirus pandemic.

Mayor Walker called to order at 4:04 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: Monthly Financial Report
Ryan Davidson, Senior Budget and Management Analyst, presented the monthly financial report.
Council questions about taxes were answered by Ryan Davidson and Commissioner of the
Revenue Todd Divers.

2. Report: Community Risk Reduction Report
Fire Chief Hezedean Smith shared an introduction to Community Risk Reduction and
department operation structure. He turned the presentation over to Deputy Chief Joe Powers
who gave background information about fire prevention and its evolution to Community Risk
Reduction, of which the purpose which is to prevent incidents from occurring and having the
resources in place to minimize damage in incidents. He thanked community partners. He also
emphasized the importance of inter-departmental working relationships to effectively impact
community risk reduction - finding the right connections and fostering relationships.

Chief Smith advised that data would continue to be a driver for the Fire Department's service
model and delivery on the Charlottesville Fire Department Strategic Plan.

3. Open Society Foundation Emma Lazarus Campaign on Cities Grant Final Report
Kaki Dimock, Director of Human Services, shared an update on the Open Society Foundation
Emma Lazarus Campaign fund distribution. Per the report, on July 20, 2020, City Council
appropriated $300,000 to use as emergency relief for community members ineligible for the
Federal CARES stimulus checks. $250,000 was appropriated from a grant to the Department of
Human Services, in coordination with Albemarle County Office of Equity and Inclusion, from
the Emma Lazarus Campaign on Cities, a project of the Open Society Foundation. An additional
$50,000 was previously appropriated from the Department of Human Services fund balance in
support of grant activities. With assistance from the city’s Finance Department and Treasurer’s
Office, 600 prepaid VISA cards in the amount of $500 were purchased for distribution to
individuals who were ineligible for the Federal stimulus checks due to their status as migrant,
immigrant, undocumented or domestic workers. Individuals were prioritized for relief based on
three additional critieria:

   •   Severe economic need
   •   Presence of children under 18 years of age in the household
   •   Medical vulnerability

Community providers with existing relationships with individuals likely to meet eligibility
requirements were recruited to distribute cards. These agencies included Sin Barreras, Cville
Cares, Piedmont Virginia Community College, International Neighbors, International Rescue
Committee, Child Health Partnership, Charlottesville Department of Human Services and
Habitat for Humanity. Community members receiving this financial assistance reported
compounded need and medical vulnerabilities. They self-identified as:

72.4% immigrant
37.6% domestic worker
15.9% migrant worker
3.8% undocumented worker
93% of recipient households included children under 18 years of age
74% of recipient households reported severe economic risk
20% of recipient households included someone with medical vulnerability
79% Hispanic/Latinx
7.4% Asian
5.5% Black
3.8% White
3.1% Multiple ethnicities/races
1.2% Native American/Indigenous

City and county staff met regularly with service providers focused on improving the well-being
of undocumented, immigrant, migrant and domestic workers to ensure that implementation
could be achieved in partnership. Decisions around data collection, screening criteria, and
government engagement were informed by community service providers with direct knowledge
of the needs, conditions, and fears of the targeted population.

This grant advances the City of Charlottesville’s Strategic Plan Goal #1 of an inclusive
community of self-sufficient residents.
PUBLIC COMMENT
No speakers came forward to speak.

Mayor Walker adjourned the work session at 4:50 p.m. and Council convened in closed session.

BY Order of City Council                                 BY Kyna Thomas, Clerk of Council


                                                             Approved by Council
                                                             May 3, 2021



                                                             Kyna Thomas, CMC
                                                             Clerk of Council