City Council
City Council
Mon, July 20, 2026
Agenda items
Vote records
Discussion summary
Transcript
Meeting summaryAI-generated
Charlottesville City Council — July 20, 2026
This was a full-session meeting divided into three parts: a 5:30 p.m. transportation planning work session, a closed session for appointments, and a 6:30 p.m. business meeting. Councilor Lloyd Snook participated electronically from vacation after a lengthy audio technical problem was partially resolved. The meeting drew a large and vocal crowd, particularly on topics of homelessness and the MARS/7th Street student housing development.
Transportation Planning Annual Update (Work Session)
Transportation Planning Manager Ben Chambers and Senior Transportation Planner Zoe Macomber presented the department's annual update covering four areas.
Year-end highlights included a Smart Scale grant application for the West Main and Ridge corridor (due August 1), completion of initial planning for a Fifth Street road diet and bikeway (full implementation pending traffic modeling), advancement of the CARTA regional transit prioritization study (draft recommendations going to the CARTA board in August, coming to Council in September), a full audit of every CAT bus stop in the system for the first time, and an onboard survey to track where fare-free transit riders transfer between routes. The e-bike voucher program is currently in its July application round, with a tiered system offering larger vouchers to lower-income applicants.
Speed limit reductions: Chambers explained that most city streets are posted at speeds above the design speeds established in the Streets That Work guidelines. Federal guidance updated in 2024 now allows localities to consider pedestrians, cyclists, and transit stops — not just vehicle volumes — when setting limits. Staff intend to work with the city attorney's office to change city code so the city engineer can set speed limits based on a policy rubric rather than requiring Council action for each street change. Approximately 75% of streets could have their limits lowered relatively quickly; the remainder (like Fifth Street) need physical infrastructure changes first.
Rose Hill Drive redesign: Macomber presented a corridor redesign for the 0.6-mile segment between Preston Avenue and Rugby Road. The project originated as a routine repaving (moved to summer 2027) but expanded to include traffic calming and bicycle infrastructure. Key design elements include: travel lanes narrowed from up to 17 feet to a standard 11 feet; removal of center turn lanes; a new four-way stop at Henry and Rose Hill (a top community request); a 10–12 foot bidirectional protected bike lane on one side of the road; maintained on-street parking; and improved bus stop landing pads. Community response was mixed but generally supported slowing traffic. Outstanding questions include driver sight lines at driveways, how cyclists enter and exit the facility at Preston and Rugby, and whether a crossing should be added near Burley Middle School (currently deemed unsafe due to sight lines on the hill). The design will be finalized for hardening materials, then handed to Public Works for implementation in fall and spring, with full repaving and striping in summer 2027.
Citywide Mobility Plan scoping: Chambers outlined a planned two-year consultant-led process to produce a unified mobility plan with 16 deliverables, including updated Streets That Work design guidance, a new network map, prioritized project lists, parking policy, standards and design manual updates, an updated transportation chapter in the comprehensive plan, and a unified capital project list to feed into the CIP. A key proposed governance element is a new Mobility Commission — an external stakeholder body appointed by Council — to review deliverables, advise Council at decision points, and eventually oversee implementation. The RFP process is underway; kickoff is anticipated fall 2026. Staff noted the county is working on a parallel plan and the two are coordinating. No vote was taken; this was a discussion item.
Closed Session
Council convened in closed session to conduct the city manager's annual performance evaluation and consider Retirement Commission appointments.
Vote to enter closed session: Passed unanimously.
Retirement Commission appointments (motion following closed session): Council appointed Michelle Christian and Barbara Sites to the Retirement Commission.
Vote: 5–0.
City Attorney Statement on MARS/7th Street Project
Before public comment, City Attorney read a statement explaining that Council cannot rescind or re-vote on its prior certificate of appropriateness decision for the MARS student housing project on 7th Street. The decision was made under a specific state law historic review process that does not provide a mechanism for Council to reopen the matter. Councilor Payne noted that while a re-vote is not legally available, Council could still pursue a zoning text amendment to expand the core neighborhood overlay, require special exception permits for student housing (rather than allowing it by right), and amend the half-mile radius framework so student housing pays the same affordable housing fees as other development.
Community Matters (Public Comment)
The meeting drew extensive public comment on two main topics:
Homelessness and the Free Bridge encampment transition: Several speakers addressed the city's announced plan to transition encampment residents by September 1. A speaker who identified himself as a current encampment resident (Donnez Chambers) described being denied services repeatedly at the Haven, Salvation Army, and Region 10, and challenged Council to fix the underlying problems rather than blaming homeless people. Jennifer Grant, also from the encampment, said not all residents are problems, described being a convicted felon who has turned her life around, and asked for better navigation of services. A speaker named Drew (a healthcare worker) called the September 1 deadline "abrupt and unilateral," noted the proposed shelter cannot accommodate half of Free Bridge residents, and said the city has provided no interim measures such as porta-potties, water, or trash service. Frank Bechter said the deadline is "totally arbitrary" and argued a $5 million budget surplus should be used immediately. A speaker named Roscoe described working daily with homeless residents and proposed using available property for tiny home communities. Several speakers also expressed support for the encampment transition, arguing that public spaces must remain open and safe for all residents, and that compassion must include pathways out of homelessness.
MARS/7th Street student housing and neighborhood displacement: A large portion of the room stood in solidarity with speakers from the First Baptist Church and surrounding neighborhoods (10th and Page, Fifeville, West Haven, Rose Hill). Reverend Dr. Arthur Long Jr. of First Baptist Church called for development to happen with communities rather than to them, and urged Council to examine whether approved uses can be locked to properties so commitments don't expire. Laura Goldblatt cited 13 peer-reviewed scholarly articles finding that student housing and luxury housing consistently cause displacement and price increases, and that trickle-down housing benefits only residents at 100% AMI and above. Brandon Tyson of First Baptist said Landmark Properties should have consulted Fifeville before proceeding. Don Gathers noted that at the June 24 meeting, the developer's attorneys said units would be rented to anyone who could afford them — which he argued undermines the "student housing" designation — and called for 70 units to be required as affordable. Gloria Beard, a 54-year Charlottesville resident and First Baptist member, noted the project will obscure the church's historic steeple and drew a parallel to the demolition of the Vinegar Hill neighborhood. Deanna McDonald raised the recently announced collapse of the food co-op plan at 501 Cherry Avenue and attributed ongoing displacement to systemic racism.
Encampment Transition Update (City Manager Report)
Assistant City Manager Sam Roman provided an operational update. Key points: the Department of Human Services director is serving as staff liaison to the Public Spaces Work Group, which includes current encampment residents. On July 17, staff visited both encampments (Free Bridge and Zero East High) to notify residents and begin needs assessments. A PACHM/UVA Medical Center clinical team is conducting individual needs assessments through approximately July 31 to match people with services. Parks and Rec is providing hand-washing stations, portable toilets, and daily trash service. CPD and CFD have begun expanded dedicated safety patrols. A comprehensive cleanup is planned before and after September 1. City Manager Sanders emphasized this is a 20-year-unresolved community challenge, that a low-barrier year-round shelter does not currently exist, and that the city's goal is to have one operational at Holiday Drive.
Consent Agenda
Council approved the following items together: minutes from March 16, April 6, April 20, and July 8 meetings; a resolution allocating $575,000 in Housing Operations and Support (HOPPS) FY27 grant funding (2nd reading); a resolution approving an addendum to the Botanical Garden of the Piedmont lease (2nd reading); a resolution appropriating $40,000 for the Virginia Department of Education Summer Food Service Program (1st reading); a special exception permit for 1138 Rose Hill Drive; a first reading of amendments to the Charlottesville Human Rights Ordinance; a correcting ordinance for two scrivener's errors in the Clarke Court vacation ordinance; and a first reading of a $425,000 Charlottesville Affordable Housing Fund grant allocation for CRHA South First Street Phase Two.
Vote: 5–0.
Bond Authorization — Up to $29 Million General Obligation Bonds + Up to $25 Million Refunding Bonds
Budget Director Chrissy Hamill presented a resolution authorizing issuance of up to $29 million in general obligation bonds for previously approved CIP projects, including transportation/sidewalks, public facilities, schools, public safety, parks, affordable housing (including South First Street redevelopment), and utility funds. The resolution also authorizes up to $25 million in refunding bonds if market conditions are favorable. Bond sale is scheduled for approximately August 18. The city holds AAA bond ratings from both Moody's and S&P. One public speaker asked and confirmed the AAA rating. No public opposition.
Vote: 5–0 (single reading).
801 West Street — Individually Protected Property Designation (1st Reading, Two Items)
Planning staff Kate Richardson and preservation planner Jeff Warner presented a request from property owner Richard Hunt to designate the Patterson-Fleming House at 801 West Street (10th and Page neighborhood) as an Individually Protected Property (IPP). The house was built in 1905 and acquired by the Fleming family during World War II; Maude Fleming taught at Jefferson School for approximately 40 years, and her husband's grandfather was the historic bell ringer at UVA. The home remains in the family and is in good repair. The BAR and Planning Commission both recommended approval. Staff noted the city has 76 IPPs and that this designation is notable for recognizing Black community history — a historically underrepresented category in the city's preservation program. The designation adds only exterior review by the BAR; it does not affect underlying zoning or indoor use. A public speaker supported the designation and urged owners of all IPPs to maintain their properties. Both the zoning text amendment and zoning map amendment items will be placed on the consent agenda for the next meeting.
Vote: No vote taken (1st reading; placed on future consent agenda).
Citizen Participation Plan Update — CDBG and HOME Programs
Anthony Warren of the Office of Budget and Grants Management presented modest updates to the city's Citizen Participation Plan, last revised in 2016. Key changes include updated and simplified language, a new section explicitly addressing the HOME program, and a restructuring of the CDBG/HOME Task Force from neighborhood-specific seats to citywide-eligible seats (with a preference for historically served neighborhoods), adding a second seat for public service/nonprofit organizations. The task force remains at nine members. Council voted separately on the resolution and the ordinance.
Vote (resolution): 5–0. Vote (ordinance): 5–0.
Right-of-Way Easement to Dominion Energy — CAT Transit Bus Charging
Staff presented a resolution granting a 15-by-50-foot easement at 1545 Avon Street Extended (the CAT bus parking lot) to Dominion Energy to install a transformer and underground cables supporting new battery-electric bus chargers. This is a required step for the city's electric bus pilot program.
Vote: 5–0.
School Zone Photo Enforcement Revenue Appropriation — $320,000 (FY27)
Roman and Hamill provided an update on the Vera Mobility automated speed camera program, operational since October 2025 at three schools (six cameras total). Revenue collected is used to pay the approximately $25,000/month system cost. Revenue has not fully covered costs, partly because cameras only operate during active school hours; the deficit may be forgiven at the end of the five-year contract if the city meets all compliance terms (including a less-than-10% violation rejection rate, currently at 2%). Council moved to appropriate $320,000 in anticipated FY27 enforcement revenue and waive the second reading with a four-fifths majority.
Vote: 5–0 (waiver of second reading).
School Construction Sales Tax Referendum
City Attorney John Maddox presented a resolution to initiate a November 3, 2026 referendum asking Charlottesville voters whether to authorize Council to levy up to a 1% local general retail sales tax, proceeds restricted solely to school construction and major renovation capital projects (not operations). Groceries and essential hygiene products are exempt. The tax would expire June 30, 2046 (20 years from passage). If voters approve, Council would still need to pass a separate ordinance to impose the tax, which could take effect as early as spring 2027. A joint Council/School Board meeting is planned for August 12 to finalize the public-facing scope of what projects the tax revenue would fund. The city attorney must file the petition with the circuit court by August 14. Councilor Snook noted the referendum is necessary because the state largely stopped funding school construction roughly 20 years ago.
Vote: 5–0.
Appointment of PCOB Director
City Manager Sanders recommended the permanent appointment of James Walker as Director of the Office of Police Civilian Oversight (PCOB), following an interview process including two board members. Walker, who has been serving in the role, was credited with organizing board operations, onboarding new members, and moving the body toward functional community oversight. The PCOB currently has a full complement of eight members for the first time.
Vote: 5–0.
Key Takeaways
School construction sales tax referendum: Council unanimously voted to place a 1% sales tax question on the November 3 ballot, restricted to school construction and renovation. If voters approve, Council must pass a separate ordinance before it takes effect; a joint meeting with the School Board on August 12 will define the project scope.
Bond authorization: Council approved issuing up to $29 million in general obligation bonds for previously approved CIP projects (schools, sidewalks, South First Street affordable housing, utilities, and more), with a competitive bond sale targeted for August 18.
MARS/7th Street: The city attorney confirmed Council cannot legally re-vote on the certificate of appropriateness for the student housing project. Councilor Payne outlined remaining policy options: a zoning text amendment requiring special exception permits for student housing near UVA, and adjusting the affordable housing fee framework.
Free Bridge encampment transition: The city confirmed a September 1 target to transition encampment residents, with needs assessments underway through July 31, a new dedicated CPD/CFD patrol presence, and work ongoing to open Holiday Drive as a low-barrier year-round emergency shelter — a service the city does not currently have.
Citywide Mobility Plan: Staff are scoping a two-year consultant-led planning process expected to kick off in fall 2026, which will produce the city's first unified transportation/mobility plan including a prioritized capital project list, updated design standards, parking policy, and a proposed new Mobility Commission to guide implementation.
AI-generated summary from voice-to-text transcript. Not the official record. Verify important details with the source documents linked above.
What happened at this meeting
Presentation: Transportation Planning Annual Update 5:30 PM Closed Meeting (Retirement Commission Appointments) 6:30 PM Business Session
# Transportation Planning Annual Update Summary
Ben Chambers, the city's Transportation Planning Manager, presented a comprehensive annual Transportation Planning Update covering multiple initiatives including a Smart Scale application for West Main and Ridge, the Fifth Street road diet and bikeway project, the CARTA prioritization study, and a complete audit of CAT bus stops with recommendations for prioritizing new amenities. Staff reported on the e-bike voucher pilot program (now in its second year with income-tiered vouchers) and dockless mobility permits, including potential expansion of Veo service to county nodes, while also detailing ongoing collaboration with VDOT and Albemarle County on US 29/250 corridor improvements and the Rose Hill Drive traffic calming project featuring protected bike facilities and a 25 mph design speed. Key findings highlighted Charlottesville's notably low 53% drive-alone commute rate and exceptionally high walking mode share compared to peer cities, though staff identified challenges including safety disparities affecting lower-income neighborhoods, misaligned transportation priorities across plans, and the need for comprehensive parking data and coordination with major employers like UVA. The city is developing a new citywide mobility plan with 16 key deliverables, including a consolidated transportation strategy, ordinance updates (including speed limits), and a proposed Mobility Commission to oversee implementation, with consultant work anticipated to begin fall 2026 on a two-year timeline. Councilor Michael raised concerns about equitable engagement of vulnerable populations including elderly, disabled, and low-income residents, emphasizing that pedestrian fatalities have disproportionately affected working-class commuters.
Ben Chambers, the city's Transportation Planning Manager, presented a comprehensive annual Transportation Planning Update covering multiple initiatives including a Smart Scale application for West Main and Ridge, the Fifth Street road diet and bikeway project, the CARTA prioritization study, and a complete audit of CAT bus stops with recommendations for prioritizing new amenities. Staff reported on the e-bike voucher pilot program (now in its second year with income-tiered vouchers) and dockless mobility permits, including potential expansion of Veo service to county nodes, while also detailing ongoing collaboration with VDOT and Albemarle County on US 29/250 corridor improvements and the Rose Hill Drive traffic calming project featuring protected bike facilities and a 25 mph design speed. Key findings highlighted Charlottesville's notably low 53% drive-alone commute rate and exceptionally high walking mode share compared to peer cities, though staff identified challenges including safety disparities affecting lower-income neighborhoods, misaligned transportation priorities across plans, and the need for comprehensive parking data and coordination with major employers like UVA. The city is developing a new citywide mobility plan with 16 key deliverables, including a consolidated transportation strategy, ordinance updates (including speed limits), and a proposed Mobility Commission to oversee implementation, with consultant work anticipated to begin fall 2026 on a two-year timeline. Councilor Michael raised concerns about equitable engagement of vulnerable populations including elderly, disabled, and low-income residents, emphasizing that pedestrian fatalities have disproportionately affected working-class commuters.
Minutes: March 16 regular meeting, April 6 regular meeting, April 20 regular meeting, July 8 work session
The consent agenda included approval of minutes from the March 16th, April 6th, and April 20th regular meetings, as well as the July 8th work session. No specific questions or concerns were raised by council members regarding these minutes. The item was moved and seconded without discussion, proceeding to a vote.
Resolution: Resolution Allocating $575,000 in Housing Operations and Support FY27 Grant
A resolution allocating $575,000 in Housing Operations and Support (HOPS) FY27 grant funding was presented for second reading. A council member highlighted that over $250,000 of this investment is specifically directed to existing programs supporting homelessness in Charlottesville, emphasizing this represents ongoing city support for these initiatives. The resolution was included in the consent agenda and approved without additional discussion.
Resolution: Resolution for Approval of Addendum to Lease with Botanical Garden of the Piedmont (2nd reading)
A resolution approving an addendum to the lease with the Botanical Garden of the Piedmont was presented for second reading as part of the consent agenda. No specific questions or concerns were raised by council members. The item proceeded to approval without discussion.
Resolution: Resolution appropriating funds for the Virginia Department of Education Special Nutrition Program Summer Food Service Program - $40,000 (1 of 2 readings)
A resolution appropriating $40,000 in funds for the Virginia Department of Education Special Nutrition Program Summer Food Service program was presented for one of two readings. This item was included in the consent agenda and approved without discussion or questions from council members.
Agenda items (24)
Procedural (24)
1ProceduralPresentation: Transportation Planning Annual Update 5:30 PM Closed Meeting (Retirement Commission Appointments) 6:30 PM Business Session
City staff will present an update on Charlottesville's transportation planning for the year, followed by a closed meeting to appoint members to the Retirement Commission.
What happened
# Transportation Planning Annual Update SummaryBen Chambers, the city's Transportation Planning Manager, presented a comprehensive annual Transportation Planning Update covering multiple initiatives including a Smart Scale application for West Main and Ridge, the Fifth Street road diet and bikeway project, the CARTA prioritization study, and a complete audit of CAT bus stops with recommendations for prioritizing new amenities. Staff reported on the e-bike voucher pilot program (now in its second year with income-tiered vouchers) and dockless mobility permits, including potential expansion of Veo service to county nodes, while also detailing ongoing collaboration with VDOT and Albemarle County on US 29/250 corridor improvements and the Rose Hill Drive traffic calming project featuring protected bike facilities and a 25 mph design speed. Key findings highlighted Charlottesville's notably low 53% drive-alone commute rate and exceptionally high walking mode share compared to peer cities, though staff identified challenges including safety disparities affecting lower-income neighborhoods, misaligned transportation priorities across plans, and the need for comprehensive parking data and coordination with major employers like UVA. The city is developing a new citywide mobility plan with 16 key deliverables, including a consolidated transportation strategy, ordinance updates (including speed limits), and a proposed Mobility Commission to oversee implementation, with consultant work anticipated to begin fall 2026 on a two-year timeline. Councilor Michael raised concerns about equitable engagement of vulnerable populations including elderly, disabled, and low-income residents, emphasizing that pedestrian fatalities have disproportionately affected working-class commuters.
2ProceduralMinutes: March 16 regular meeting, April 6 regular meeting, April 20 regular meeting, July 8 work session
Council will approve the official written records from three previous regular meetings (March 16, April 6, and April 20) and one work session (July 8).
What happened
The consent agenda included approval of minutes from the March 16th, April 6th, and April 20th regular meetings, as well as the July 8th work session. No specific questions or concerns were raised by council members regarding these minutes. The item was moved and seconded without discussion, proceeding to a vote.3ProceduralResolution: Resolution Allocating $575,000 in Housing Operations and Support FY27 Grant
Council will authorize spending $575,000 in state grant funds to support housing operations and assistance programs in FY27.
What happened
A resolution allocating $575,000 in Housing Operations and Support (HOPS) FY27 grant funding was presented for second reading. A council member highlighted that over $250,000 of this investment is specifically directed to existing programs supporting homelessness in Charlottesville, emphasizing this represents ongoing city support for these initiatives. The resolution was included in the consent agenda and approved without additional discussion.4ProceduralResolution: Resolution for Approval of Addendum to Lease with Botanical Garden of the Piedmont (2nd reading)
Council will approve changes to the lease agreement between the City and the Botanical Garden of the Piedmont (second vote on this item).
What happened
A resolution approving an addendum to the lease with the Botanical Garden of the Piedmont was presented for second reading as part of the consent agenda. No specific questions or concerns were raised by council members. The item proceeded to approval without discussion.5ProceduralResolution: Resolution appropriating funds for the Virginia Department of Education Special Nutrition Program Summer Food Service Program - $40,000 (1 of 2 readings)
Council will set aside $40,000 in federal funds for a summer food program serving children in low-income families (first vote).
What happened
A resolution appropriating $40,000 in funds for the Virginia Department of Education Special Nutrition Program Summer Food Service program was presented for one of two readings. This item was included in the consent agenda and approved without discussion or questions from council members.6ProceduralResolution: Resolution Considering A Special Exception Permit for 1138 Rose Hill Drive
Council will consider a request for a special exception permit that allows a property at 1138 Rose Hill Drive to be used in a way not typically allowed by current zoning rules.
What happened
# Summary: Resolution Considering A Special Exception Permit for 1138 Rose Hill DriveA resolution considering a special exception permit for 1138 Rose Hill Drive, involving an Individual Protected Property (IPP) designation, was presented to council. Property owner Richard Hunt spoke in support of the designation, citing his family's deep roots in Charlottesville and desire to preserve the property and honor the neighborhood's contributions. Council Member Michael raised concerns about the city's historical preservation focus on areas around the University of Virginia and North Downtown, questioning why neighborhoods with rich Black history such as 10th and Page, Fifeville, and Rose Hill had been overlooked. Staff noted that a 2020 historic survey of the 10th and Page neighborhood covering 450 properties had been completed and recommended for National and Virginia Landmarks Register designation, and offered support for future National Register nominations while explaining that local designation requires neighborhood initiative and Board of Architectural Review oversight. The resolution was ultimately approved as part of the consent agenda vote with no recorded public comment or discussion.
7ProceduralOrdinance: Ordinance amending and reenacting Chapter 2, Article XV of the Code of the City of Charlottesville, the Charlottesville Human Rights Ordinance (1 of 2 readings)
Council will consider updates to the City's Human Rights Ordinance, which protects residents from discrimination (first vote).
What happened
# SummaryStaff presented proposed amendments to the city code's speed limit regulations, explaining that 2024 federal guidance now requires consideration of factors beyond speed and volume—including pedestrian presence, trip generators, bicycles, and transit stops. The current code sets all streets at 25 mph by default but then lists specific limits for individual streets, requiring Council approval each time adjustments are needed. A Council member asked Ben clarifying questions about the rubric's role, and Ben explained that it determines appropriate speed limits, while prioritization is handled separately based on implementation feasibility, with approximately 75% of streets expected to qualify for fast implementation. Additionally, an ordinance amending Chapter 2, Article 15 regarding the Charlottesville Human Rights Ordinance was presented as part of the consent agenda and approved without discussion or concerns from Council members.
8ProceduralBy Motion: Adoption of Amending Ordinance Correcting Two (2) Scrivener’s Errors in the Original Ordinance Vacating and Quitclaiming Clarke Court to the Jefferson
Council will fix two minor clerical errors in a previous ordinance that transferred Clarke Court property to Jefferson.
What happened
A motion for adoption of an ordinance correcting two scrivener's errors in the original ordinance vacating and quitclaiming Clark Court to the Jefferson Scholars Foundation was presented. This item was included in the consent agenda without any discussion or questions from council members, and was approved by vote.9ProceduralResolution: Resolution Allocating Charlottesville Affordable Housing Fund Grant Program Funding for Charlottesville Redevelopment and Housing Authority South First Street Phase Two in the Amount of $425,000 (1 of 2 readings)
Council will allocate $425,000 from the affordable housing fund to support the second phase of the Redevelopment and Housing Authority's South First Street project (first vote).
What happened
A resolution allocating $425,000 in Charlottesville Albemarle Housing Fund Grant program funding for the Charlottesville Redevelopment and Housing Authority South First Street phase two was presented for one of two readings. This item was part of the consent agenda and was approved without additional discussion or questions from council members.10ProceduralPublic Public Hearing and Resolution to Authorize the Issuance and Sale of General Hearing/Res.: Obligation Public Improvement Bonds of The City of Charlottesville, Virginia, in an Aggregate Principal Amount Not to Exceed $29,000,000, to Finance the Costs of Certain Public Improvement Projects, Providing for the Issuance and Sale of General Obligation Refunding Bonds Of The City Of Charlottesville, Virginia, in an Aggregate Principal Amount Not to Exceed $25,000,000, Providing for the Form, Details and Payment of Such Bonds, and Providing for the Refunding of Certain Outstanding General Obligation Bonds of the City (1 reading)
Council will hold a public hearing and consider borrowing up to $29 million for public improvement projects and refinancing up to $25 million in existing city debt.
What happened
The City Manager presented a report addressing housing and homelessness as a challenging issue requiring compassionate solutions, and a regional drought declaration prompting voluntary water conservation measures. Budget Director Chrissy Hamill presented a resolution to authorize up to $29 million in general obligation bonds, including approximately $17.6 million for general Capital Improvement Projects (transportation, public facilities, schools, public safety, parks, and affordable housing) and $9 million for utility funds. Councilmember Michael requested specific project details, which Hamill provided, highlighting South First Street affordable housing, sidewalk replacements, and school facility upgrades as key initiatives, with competitive bond sale scheduled for August 18th. The City Council voted unanimously (5-0) to approve the bond measure on first reading, and James Rogers noted the city maintains an AAA bond rating from major agencies.11ProceduralPublic Hearing/Ord.: Public Hearing and Ordinance Adoption: 801 West Street; Zoning Text Amendment (Pl-26-0043), Designation of Individually Protected Property (1 of 2 readings)
Council will hold a public hearing and consider a zoning text amendment to protect the historic building at 801 West Street (first vote).
What happened
Staff presented a zoning text amendment to designate 801 West Street as an individually protected property (IPP). Kate Richardson explained that the Patterson-Fleming House, built in 1905, has significant historical importance to the African American community and the 10th and Page neighborhood, with connections to the Fleming family whose members worked as a railroad fireman and teacher at Jefferson School. The Board of Architectural Review evaluated the designation in January, and the Planning Commission recommended approval in May; staff recommended City Council approve both the zoning map and text amendments to make 801 West Street the 77th IPP in the city, with support from neighbors and Preservation Piedmont.12ProceduralPublic Public Hearing and Ordinance: 801 West Street: Zoning Map Amendment (Pl- Hearing/Ord.: 26-0042), Designation of Individually Protected Property (1 of 2 readings)
Council will hold a public hearing and consider changing the zoning map designation for 801 West Street to protect it as a historic property (first vote).
What happened
Staff discussed a zoning map amendment for a property that was surveyed and recommended eligible for the National Register as an individual property. A council member questioned why the house wasn't initially selected, and staff clarified it was surveyed and recommended eligible individually, though the preference is for an intact historic district. The discussion included legal questions about whether the city can unilaterally designate a property as an IPP (Individual Property Protection) or if owner consent is required; staff confirmed that owner consent is needed to bring such designations to council in good faith. No public comments were received during the public hearing, and the item was approved to move to the consent agenda for the next council meeting.13ProceduralPublic Public Hearing and Ordinance to Update the Citizen Participation Plan, a Hearing/Ord.: Component of the City’s Community Development Block (CDBG) Grants and HOME Investment Partnerships Programs (HOME), and Associated Municipal
Council will hold a public hearing and update the plan for how residents can participate in decisions about federal community development and housing grant programs.
What happened
# Citizen Participation Plan Update SummaryAnthony Warren from the Office of Budget Grants Management presented proposed updates to the Citizen Participation Plan, required for HUD-funded programs including Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnerships programs. The updates, last revised in 2016, aim to expand community participation opportunities by using more accessible language, adding sections on the HOME program and CDBG HOME Task Force, and clarifying annual processes. A significant change restructures Task Force membership from neighborhood-designated seats to citywide-eligible seats with preference for traditionally underserved neighborhoods, broadening participation opportunities. Council members asked clarifying questions, with Roy confirming that informal neighborhood subcommittees remain possible, and Michael emphasizing CDBG's importance as federal funding for historically disinvested areas. Staff recommended adopting a five-year update schedule, with the next plan to be developed approximately one year after this hearing.
14ProceduralPublic Public Hearing and Resolution for City Right-of-Way Agreement Execution Hearing/Res.: Dedicating an Easement to Dominion Energy
Council will hold a public hearing and authorize an easement agreement allowing Dominion Energy to use city property for utility infrastructure.
What happened
Mr. Cooper presented on behalf of the city's plan to install battery electric bus charging equipment at the CAT Transit parking lot (1545 Avon Street). Dominion Energy requires a 15 by 50-foot easement to install a transformer and underground cables necessary for charging the fixed battery electric buses. City staff recommended approval of the easement agreement to enable completion of the charging station installation. Council members had minimal questions; one member highlighted this as an important step toward zero-emission buses in the CAT fleet and noted Dominion Energy is ready to proceed quickly once approved. No public comment was received during the public hearing.15ProceduralResolution: Resolution to Appropriate $320,000 in School Zone Photo Enforcement Revenue for FY 2027 (1 of 2 readings)
Council will approve using $320,000 in revenue from school zone speed camera tickets for the 2027 fiscal year budget (first vote).
What happened
# Summary: Resolution to Appropriate $320,000 in School Zone Photo Enforcement Revenue for FY 2027Assistant City Manager Sam Roman presented a resolution to appropriate $320,000 in school zone photo enforcement revenue for FY 2027, explaining that the Vera Mobility speed camera system operates at three schools with an 80% successful payment ratio and 2% rejection rate, costing approximately $25,000 monthly for operations and technical support. Staff noted that collected revenue ($177,000 from October 2025 to April 2026) has not consistently covered monthly invoices due to anticipated shortfalls as the program matures and violations decline during non-school months, though any balance due may be forgiven at the end of the five-year contract period if conditions are met. Council members including Mr. White questioned whether revenue would adequately cover annual costs, and staff clarified they are working with the city attorney and vendor to define adequate fine collection standards and implement new state requirements effective July 1, 2026. The City Council voted 5-0 to approve the resolution without a second reading, characterizing it as a reallocation of money within the existing contract rather than a new financial commitment.
16ProceduralResolution: Resolution Initiating a Referendum to Authorize Imposition of a Local General Retail Sales Tax Not to Exceed One Percent, the Proceeds of Which Would Be Used Solely for Capital Projects for the Construction or Renovation of Public Schools Serving the City of Charlottesville
Council will authorize placing a question on the ballot asking voters whether the City should impose a 1% local sales tax, with proceeds dedicated to building and renovating public schools.
What happened
# SummaryJohn Maddox presented a resolution to initiate a referendum on November 3rd, 2026, asking voters to authorize a local general retail sales tax of up to 1% for school capital projects, with food for home consumption and essential hygiene products exempted. Councilor Natalie sought clarification on restaurant taxation, which Maddox confirmed would be taxed unlike groceries. Council acknowledged that additional work is needed to determine the scope of the facilities development program, with a joint meeting scheduled for August 12th between City Council and the School Board to finalize details about the 20-year tax proceeds allocation before presenting to voters. Councilors Jen, Lloyd, and Michael raised no objections, and the motion passed unanimously five to zero.
17ProceduralResolution: Appointment of Director of the Office of Police Civilian Oversight
Council will appoint a director to lead the Office of Police Civilian Oversight, which handles complaints about police conduct.
What happened
# Summary: Appointment of Director of the Office of Police Civilian OversightCouncil amended the agenda to handle the appointment of Director of the Office of Police Civilian Oversight by motion rather than resolution. Staff presented James Walker as the candidate for the position of third director, noting his consistent efforts to advance the PCOV's work, organize materials, and orient new board members. Walker addressed Council, outlining his operations background and commitment to operationalizing the board's civilian-led work with a focus on community engagement, transparency, and accountability. A council member acknowledged the board's previous staffing challenges and affirmed that it is now fully populated with trained members moving in a positive direction. The motion to appoint Walker passed unanimously 5-0.
18ProceduralWritten Report: Rivanna Authorities Quarterly Update
The Rivanna Authorities will provide a quarterly update on water and wastewater services.
What happened
A written report from Rivanna Authorities was presented with no comments from Council members.20ProceduralThis is an in-person meeting with an option for the public to participate electronically by registering in advance for the Zoom webinar at www.charlottesville.gov/zoom. The meeting may also be viewed on the City's streaming platforms and local government Channel 10. Individuals with disabilities who require assistance or special arrangements to participate in the public meeting may call (434) 987-1267 or submit a request via email to ada@charlottesville.gov. The City of Charlottesville requests that you provide 48 hours’ notice so that proper arrangements may be made.
This meeting is held in person with a virtual option; residents can participate online via Zoom by registering at www.charlottesville.gov/zoom, and accessibility accommodations are available.
21ProceduralThe presiding officer shall ensure that individuals address their comments to City Council at appropriate times, in accordance with the meeting agenda and Council’s Rules of Procedure.
The meeting chair will ensure that members of the public direct comments to Council at appropriate times following the published agenda.
22ProceduralNo person who is not a member of the city council shall orally address it until leave to do so has been granted by the city council or until invited to do so by the mayor. (City Code sec.2-71)
Only City Council members may speak unless the Council grants permission or the Mayor invites someone to speak.
23ProceduralRemarks and actions that disrupt the progress of the Council meeting, and remarks from persons other than councilors, the City Manager, the City Attorney, or a presenter for an Agenda
Disruptive remarks or actions that interfere with the meeting will not be permitted.
24ProceduralThe presiding officer shall call an individual to order, including a councilor, when that individual goes afoul of these rules. The following are examples of remarks and behavior that are not permitted: i. Interrupting a speaker who is addressing Council at the speaker's microphone, or interrupting a speaker who has otherwise been invited to address Council during Community Matters or a Public Hearing ii. Interrupting a councilor who is speaking iii. Shouting, and talking (either individually or in concert with others) in a manner that prevents a speaker or a Councilor from being heard or that otherwise hinders the progress of the meeting iv. Blocking paths for emergency exit from the meeting room; engaging in any conduct that prevents a member of the audience from seeing or hearing councilors during a meeting; standing on chairs or tables within the Council meeting room v. Threats or incitement of violence toward councilors, City staff or members of the public vi. Engaging in conduct that is a criminal offense under the City Code or the Virginia Code vii. Campaigning for elected office viii. Promotion of private business ventures ix. Using profanity or vulgarity x. Personal attacks against Councilors, City staff or members of the public xi. Behavior which tends to intimidate others
The meeting chair will enforce rules prohibiting interruptions, shouting, blocking exits, threats, criminal conduct, profanity, personal attacks, and other disruptive behavior.
25ProceduralDuring a City Council meeting the presiding officer shall have control of the Council Chambers and the connecting halls and corridors within City Hall, and any other venue where a Council meeting is being held. In case of any conduct described above, the presiding officer may take measures deemed appropriate, including but not limited to suspending the meeting until order is restored, ordering areas to be cleared by the Sergeant at Arms, or requiring any individual to exit the meeting room and adjacent premises (connecting halls and corridors.)
The meeting chair has authority to maintain order in the Council Chambers and may suspend the meeting, clear areas, or remove individuals as needed to restore order.
Additional votes recorded in minutes
Approve agenda with amendment (item 17 handled by motion)
aye 1
voice voteaye
Allow Councilor Snook to participate electronically
aye 1
voice voteaye
Convene in closed session
aye 1
voice voteaye
Certify closed session
aye 1
voice voteaye
Appoint Michelle Christian and Barbara Sites to Retirement Commission
aye 1
voice voteaye
Approve consent agenda
aye 5
Jen Fleisheraye
Juandiego Wadeaye
Lloyd Snookaye
Michael Payneaye
Natalie Oschrinaye
Authorize issuance of general obligation public improvement bonds not to exceed $29 million
aye 5
Jen Fleisheraye
Juandiego Wadeaye
Lloyd Snookaye
Michael Payneaye
Natalie Oschrinaye
Approve resolution for CDBG Citizen Participation Plan update
aye 5
Jen Fleisheraye
Juandiego Wadeaye
Lloyd Snookaye
Michael Payneaye
Natalie Oschrinaye
Approve ordinance for CDBG Citizen Participation Plan update
aye 5
Jen Fleisheraye
Juandiego Wadeaye
Lloyd Snookaye
Michael Payneaye
Natalie Oschrinaye
Grant easement to Dominion Energy for EV charging infrastructure at 1545 Avon Street
aye 5
Jen Fleisheraye
Juandiego Wadeaye
Lloyd Snookaye
Michael Payneaye
Natalie Oschrinaye
Appropriate $320,000 in school zone photo enforcement revenue for FY27 (waiving second reading)
aye 5
Jen Fleisheraye
Juandiego Wadeaye
Lloyd Snookaye
Michael Payneaye
Natalie Oschrinaye
Initiate referendum to authorize local sales tax up to 1% for school capital projects
aye 5
Jen Fleisheraye
Juandiego Wadeaye
Lloyd Snookaye
Michael Payneaye
Natalie Oschrinaye
Appoint James Walker as Director of the Office of Police Civilian Oversight
aye 5
Jen Fleisheraye
Juandiego Wadeaye
Lloyd Snookaye
Michael Payneaye
Natalie Oschrinaye
Adjourn meeting
aye 1
voice voteaye
Verbatim transcript available
913 transcript segments indexed
Alex, it was a great movie. It was, yeah. Odyssey. We were in the theater last night, Odyssey. For the Odyssey, or- Odyssey. It was just action-packed. What's that, Snook? Okay. Shh. There is a Cyclops.
Every foot note for three pages. Honestly, Shoe Detectives is the movie of the year. I did enjoy that. I watched that like two weeks ago. Right? And I spent three hours yesterday watching The Odyssey.
Ooh. Yeah. Okay. The July 20th, 2026, Charlottesville City Council meeting will come to order. Madam Clerk, will you please call the roll? Councilor Fleischer? Here. Vice Mayor Oshrin? Here. Councilor Payne?
Here. Mayor Wade? Here. Councilor Snook has requested to participate electronically. Councilor Snook, are you able to hear us? Can you hear us? We can't hear you. Hello? Press some buttons or something there till you get some...
No? Maybe unplug your headphones. Not yet. No. Oh, people you don't like much. Mm. I know. I feel you. All right, Lloyd, we got you up here twice. You going to try to go with your phone? You're muted still on your phone.
No. Hmm. Your first one- Is it-- Well, hang on. What's... Is it... Yeah, just No, yeah, I can barely hear. Is it on us? Y- yeah. Um. Maybe it's something you can turn up because you can barely hear. What if it's not Lloyd?
What if it's us? I don't know how you'd be able to control that, does Remy? I'm gonna check on my computer and see if it's weird. Have to use the other computer. Hold on. Hang on, Lloyd. We can hear you from my computer, not through the speakers of the room.
Hmm. So that's on us. People on Zoom can hear him though. People on Zoom can hear him. We can't in the room. Hmm. So Remy. Can you hear me? Lloyd, it's a problem with our speakers in the room, not with your computer, it seems like.
Okay, can you hear me? Just the main room speakers. We can just barely hear you. Okay. Hello. You guys hear me? Yes. This is, uh, Remy in the control room. Um, I think it's something on our end. Our soundboard was recently replaced, so I'm investigating the issue right now.
Thanks, Remy. If people on Zoom can hear us- We just can't claim that he's-- we can't account for him being here- Yeah ... until he's able to be heard back and forth. So I think we can move forward and let the presentation begin and try to establish his presence at some point later.
Yeah. Yeah. And then, um, I'll keep my chat open so if Lloyd wants to send a question through the chat, I can, uh- Okay. Hmm ... pass that on. And, uh, we'll just note it as for right now, and if we can get- But his presence.
Yeah, we could see them, see him but couldn't hear him, and then we could check back before you all start talking after the presentation. And let- let's go ahead and start the presentation. Okay. Um, okay.
So let me get back to my... We have not established Councilor snoot to participate electronically yet. Um, with that, um, for now, we will, um, go for a... Um, staff has, um, noted that item 17 on the agenda will be handled, um, by motion instead of a resolution.
Can I get a motion to approve the agenda with the, with this amendment? So moved. Second. Um, all in favor, please say yes. Yes. All opposed, please say no. Um, this meeting is divided into three, um, sections.
The first one is a work session, um, to hear and discuss presentation that does not, um, require a vote, um, followed by a closed session and then, um, a regular business meeting at 6:30. Today, the presentation is, um, Transportation Planning Annual Update.
Um, Ben Chambers will present. All right. Thank you for having me. My name's Ben Chambers. I'm the city's Transportation Planning Manager. I'm gonna walk us through our annual update. Uh, u- usually this is one that I give in the spring, so I'm a little bit late this year.
Um, but we are gonna try to keep it focused on a few topics. Hopefully, I can get the- To move. There we go. So first, we're going to start with a quick lightning round year-end review of some things that my team has been working on over the past fiscal year.
Then we're going to jump into what we're doing with lowering speed limits. Then I'll bring up Zoe to speak about our project on Rose Hill, and then we will finish with probably the largest section of the presentation focused on the scoping of our citywide mobility plan.
So first, going to find the sweet spot with this thing. There we go. So, quick year-end review. Our first Smart Scale project that we've submitted an application on in the past four years, this will be West Main and Ridge.
That was brought to you for your endorsement a few weeks back. We've got all of our application materials in at this point, and it's just a matter of hitting the go button. We have to do that by August 1st, and we're waiting for VDOT to give us a little bit of the thumbs up that we've got everything that we need.
We also completed the initial planning work for the Fifth Street road diet and bikeway. This is a project that Public Works will be doing some testing of the traffic modeling next year. Our traffic modeling didn't take into account that we have a lot of construction projects that are going to affect this corridor.
So we want to make sure before we put down anything permanent that we understand the traffic implications that are happening there. We have also worked to advance the CARTA prioritization study. This is a study that you'll hear more about in September.
We are getting closer to the end of that study, figuring out basically what it is that CARTA is hoping to accomplish, what are the improvements to service throughout the region that we think will support regional transit needs.
So looking forward to presenting that to the CARTA board in August, sort of the draft recommendations from that study and then bringing that to you in September for your review. We have audited every bus stop in the CAT system in the past year.
This is a huge accomplishment. We, for a long time, didn't know where all of our bus stops were, and the ones that we did know, we didn't know what was actually at them beyond just a typical CAT sign.
Now we have an understanding of all the amenities that are there, all the ADA issues that we have facing us at all of our stops, connectivity issues at our stops, and have a really robust data set to work with and now look at where we put new stuff, where we put the improvements so that they serve the most people who are relying on them.
As part of that, we also need to understand where people are using our transit service, and fortunately, we have fare-free services. That's a great benefit for our riders. Unfortunately, that means we don't know where they're transferring buses.
Before when we had fare, we had transfer tickets. In other places where you do have fare and you have sort of the tap card, you tap along your trip, and you know where people are getting on and off the bus.
We don't have that data set, and so we need to understand better where are the important places for people to get from one bus to another. Right now, we sort of focus on how is a change to service going to impact someone where they live or where they work, and we don't really have the way to tie that together.
So what we did this past year was do an onboard survey to understand where people are making those transfers, where the important pickup and drop-off locations are along the route. We've been working with UVA's planning school as well as their data science school to analyze some of that data and are getting close to the end of that project as well.
With the audit, is there a next step at this point in terms of using it to prioritize- Yes ... where to put shelters or improvements or- Yep. Yeah, that's the next step is us coming up with the rubric for how do we decide how to put out new amenities throughout the system, and shelters being an amenity, benches being an amenity, improved signage, that sort of thing.
All right, next slide. I don't think this button is working. All right. We also, as part of our year, we updated our Dockless Mobility Permit program, which also allowed us to approve a new permit for Veo that puts a lot of the management back on them, a lot of the customer interaction.
It also allows us to provide plans to our residents so that they understand what sort of services and responses they should be getting from Veo. As part of that, we get some revenue from these, and we use that revenue along with some funding from our Climate Action Fund, to fund the e-bike voucher pilot program.
This is our second year in that program. We have moved beyond the initial program, which was $1,000 vouchers for every winner. Now we have a tiered program that has higher vouchers for folks who have low-income needs and may need an assistance to pay for a whole bike.
So we are working through that this year. It's been very well subscribed to. We have lots of people signing up each round. And is there currently a sign-up round? There is currently a sign-up round, in fact.
We are in our July sign-up, so we will be taking sign-ups for the voucher lottery through the end of the month, and then that first week of August, we will pull names and be contacting people who will be very happy to hear from NDS.
We've also been collaborating with VDOT and Albemarle County to look at new alternatives for US 29 and 250. You should be seeing some public engagement around that within the next couple of weeks. We have identified a few alternatives around the Hydraulic 250 and 29/250 interchanges to remove some of the unnecessary movements that are there, improve some safety, and make some connections through that area that aren't there today, including an extension of Hillsdale Drive south to the bypass that would sort of provide a connection to the new Holiday Drive site for transit, pedestrians, and bicyclists as well.
Along with that project and all of our other projects, we also have some programming of just getting people out and about. We have neighborhood walks that we've been doing monthly. We also have a bike ride that leaves out of the city market every week.
We have Bike Month that we just finished in May, which was very successful, had events nearly every single day of May. And then coming up in September, we'll also have Loop De Ville, which is a major city event.
Yes. Do you want questions along the way, or do you want us to save it till the end? Along the way is fine. Okay. I've got a question about Veo. Is there any relationship we have with establishing Veo service in the county?
Are they on board with that? Are we in talks with them? It's a question that's come to us recently. The county does have some interest in seeing what it would look like to expand into the county. Not necessarily countywide or even across the entire urbanized area of the county.
They are interested in potentially expanding the boundaries to a few select nodes initially. That would include Stonefield, Pantops area, Mill Creek area near the jail. Some places where if you're going out of the city today, out through our entrance corridors, you get just a little bit beyond the city boundary and you start seeing Veo scooters piled up.
Yeah. It's because they ran outside of our boundary and lost the ability to keep going, and we can see there's demand there. And the county is seeing there's demand there, and they want to be able to facilitate that in a safe way.
So we are starting discussions with them on that. There are some logistical challenges. Riding a scooter or a bike in the county a lot of the times means you're riding on the sidewalk, and you're actually encouraged as that's the safe place to ride it.
All of our scooters say on them, "Do not ride on the sidewalk." So that's just a messaging element that we'll have to get right when we move beyond the city's boundaries. We also already are beyond the city's boundaries into the county, I have to remind people sometimes, because we serve UVA.
So UVA participates in our permit program by issuing a memorandum of understanding to Veo. We're looking for a similar relationship with the county and Veo, so that we're not rewriting all of our permit regulations to include them on something that's just sort of a pilot for them when it's an actual program that we rely on here.
Great. Thank you so much. Sure. On the Veo front, I know this has been talked about before in the past, but what are some of, just at the high level, some of the most important permit regulations? And then the concern we always hear about is parked on sidewalk area that's needed for ADA access.
What are the existing policies to try to prevent or disencourage that? Yeah. So a lot of what we did with the changes to the dockless mobility regulations, other companies could also come into our market and participate, but Veo's our only current provider that is permitted.
The biggest changes were making sure that they were communicating clearly what's expected of them to their customers, which meant coming up with a customer engagement plan that everybody knew this is how many times you're going to show up and actually be in the public and talking to us about what we need to do.
It also included a parking plan, and part of what we asked from them as part of their parking plan was we don't want to see scooters parked on sidewalks anymore at all. In the previous regulations, we gave them a little bit of wiggle room to say some places there's a sidewalk, and it's wide enough for us to have a scooter parked on it and still not be blocking anyone.
And that became such a vague direction that they weren't telling people exactly how to park that we said we can't live in this vagueness. We need more clear direction. And so now their parking plans say no parking on sidewalks unless we have designated it specifically.
Unless there's a sign out that says this is a Veo parking space, we're not going to be allowing that going forward. That's on them to manage. So if there is someone parking on the sidewalk, someone should be calling Veo, someone should report it through MyCVille, and it'll go straight to Veo.
But this shouldn't be something that we're expecting city staff to go out and run around chasing every scooter that's on a sidewalk. So we're pushing it back onto them a little bit, but also tightening up what we're expecting of them.
Can you reiterate the best way to get in touch with them? The best ways to get in touch with them are through their app, if you're a Veo user, or through MyCVille. MyCVille automatically sends them to our local team, not necessarily to Veo, the big company, but to the guys on the ground who are actually moving the scooters.
They get it immediately. Is there a scooter specific report? There is. Okay. There is. Great. Thanks. Okay. In our permit regulations, is there any way for if someone reports it through Veo or MyCVille, they've parked on a sidewalk or somewhere where ADA access is needed, that that user who did that gets fined, or is that entirely up to Veo?
Or is that- They tell us how many fines they give out, but we don't dive into which ones were fined. The other thing that we have changed with that is that when something is reported to them, they have to report back when they fixed the issue, and if it's longer than an hour, there better be a good reason for it because they're supposed to be fixing these issues within an hour.
So before it was just we sent the message to them and hoped that it got done, and now we're expecting it and also getting some feedback in the end that tells us whether it got done or not. Mm-hmm. Okay.
All right. You good with these slides? Mm-hmm. Move forward to the next one. Oop. Now I'm controlling it. Ha ha. All right. So next topic is going to be lowering speed limits. This is something that was on our to-do list earlier in the year, and we're getting to it now.
So speed is probably the biggest factor when it comes to safety on our streets. The differential between the speeds of cars and the speeds of pedestrians is really where that danger comes from for the pedestrians.
And it's not necessarily that cars are speeding So, quote-unquote, that they're going over a speed limit, it's that the speed limit itself is already set to a dangerously high standard. And so we've tried to approach this about a decade ago.
We had the Streets That Work design guidelines that lays out what we should be expecting for all the different streets and different hierarchy of streets. So, an arterial may be treated differently than a local street.
And for all of these, we said there are certain design speeds that we would expect to see on all of these different types of streets. Most of the speeds we have today are much higher than what those design speeds are.
So what we really should've been focusing on in the past decade was how do we lower these speed limits, and that's where we are today. If you look at this map on the right, this is showing all of those roads are everything that's orange or red is a higher speed limit than what we have been saying our design speeds are, at least by one mile an hour, if not 10.
That means all of our local streets, we said they should be 20 miles per hour. They're all 25 today. So they're showing up as orange on here. A lot of that has been baked into our city codes. So if you look at the federal guidance, it's all baked in with the existing speeds and the existing volumes, and beyond that, you have to have some extenuating circumstances.
Those guidance rules that came from the feds, those changed in 2024, and now it's not just speed and volume that we're looking at. We're also looking at are there pedestrians in the area? Are there major generators of trips?
Are there lots of bicycles? Are there transit stops? There are lots of other factors that we can take into account, and if you look at Streets That Work, we were already doing that in our design guidelines.
So now it's a matter of translating that into city code. Our current city code says all the streets are 25 miles per hour unless stated otherwise. And then the next section is every street in the city stated otherwise.
And so that one line that says everything should be 25 miles per hour doesn't mean a whole lot because all of our streets are laid out to specific speed limits for each street. That means that if I want to change the speed limit on each street, I have to go back to you every time and say, "I want to change this bit of the code." So that's a little bit difficult for us as staff to work through.
There's also some requirements to speed limits that we've sort of baked in recently. We made some changes to school zones. Now they are all set at 25 miles per hour max, 15 miles per hour during school zone hours.
We have several locations where that's not the case. Melbourne Road is 35 miles per hour. Rose Hill Drive is 35 miles per hour. These are both places that are signed that have school zones that are way above what speed limit they should be based on city code.
But that's because the city code is conflicting with itself. So in order to fix this, our next steps are, there are a few places that we already know that we can reduce the speed limits because we've made those changes in city code and because we're making changes in the street layout itself.
That includes Melbourne and Rose Hill, as I mentioned. For everything else, we need to work with the city attorney's office to come up with new language. Partly, we want to remove the language that's in there that sort of sets the limits as they are, and then we want to put in new language that enables the city engineer to set speed limits based on a rubric that points to local plans, policies, federal regulations, all of the things that he should be taking into account aside from just existing speeds and volumes.
Part of enabling him with that power, the city engineer, is also coming up with what that rubric is. How are we going to determine what to put on what road? In some cases, it could be as simple as just looking at streets that work and deciding that we want to go with the design speeds.
In other places, we need to make sure that that's safe to do. And so we need to understand, are there some streets where we can't just make the jump, we can't just make the sign change, we actually have to put some infrastructure in?
And when I'm talking about that, I'm thinking about places like Fifth Street, where we know that the speed limit is much higher than the design speed. We know that it's not a very safe street, that it has lots of issues.
That is going to be a place where we're not going to go in immediately and change the signs out. We're going to wait until we have put in some traffic calming, until we've done that testing of the road diet and bikeway before we make that change.
Part of making the change is also going to make sure we're not confusing the heck out of everybody. If we are going to be a town that has a lot of streets that are 20 miles per hour, that makes us pretty unique, and we need to make sure that people understand when they're coming into the city we're going to be driving a little bit slower here.
So making sure that our residents, visitors, commuters, everybody who is going to be using our road understands the changes that are happening and sort of the timeline for those changes is going to be critical to making sure that this is successful.
Ben, can I ask you a quick question? Yes. Does prioritizing this, the rubric is helping you know who should be lowered, but does it tell you what order? It seems like there's a lot of layers to figure out.
So the rubric is more about setting what the speed limit should be. It's not about the prioritization. Okay. The prioritization of what streets we should change is sort of the second step of, okay, we know what speed limit it should be based on what our rubric is.
Can we actually do that? Is it safe to do that at this point? If it's not safe to do that at this point, it's sort of off the list until we can figure out what to fix. If it is safe to do that, let's do it.
And by safe to do that, you mean like if the design speed is 20, we can go ahead and change the signs. Where the design speed is, like Fifth Street is 60, even though we say 40, but we want it to be slower anyway.
That means we take it out of the easy design change bucket and put it in the we have to engineer some stuff bucket? Correct. Okay. And just to give you- That's all ... a sense of scale, we're thinking that that bucket of get it done fast is much larger than the don't get it done fast bucket.
Okay. Mm-hmm. Like 75% of the streets would be in the get it done bucket. Thank you. Yeah. So one of our streets that's going to get done first is Rose Hill Drive. So I'm going to introduce Zoe Macomber.
She's our senior transportation planner and has been the project manager on this project. She's going to walk you through this, and then we will jump into the bigger topic, the mobility plan. So Zoe. And this is working?
Okay. So Ben set me up really well with an understanding of why we're going to lower the speed limit and also the design speed on Rose Hill Drive. So this project set out initially as a repaving need due to deteriorating pavement condition, also doing some ADA improvements alongside that with the sidewalks and curb cuts.
But because we know we need to lower the speed, and there's so much right of way along this corridor, we identified this as a potential area for traffic calming improvements along the .6 mile segment.
So we moved the repaving from summer 2026 to summer 2027 to give us a little bit of room and time to do this design process. When we set out with the design, our goals were several fold. We wanted to reduce the design speed to 25 miles per hour, so we could follow up with speed limit changes.
We wanted to improve bicycle safety with protected facilities, improve the pedestrian crossing, and shorten those pedestrian crossings. In some areas, you have extremely wide right of way widths. Reduce conflicts between transit vehicles.
We have Route 9 along this corridor at nine different spots, so reducing conflict between transit vehicles and bicycles at bus stops. Making sure we're providing space for bus stop amenities, ADA compliant landing pads, and also potentially bike parking along the corridor.
And noticing that we have Burley Middle School right in the middle of this segment, providing safe pickup and drop-off patterns. So the project was within the parameters of the upcoming repaving schedule, which means that we weren't working outside the curbs.
This was not a sidewalk project. We were also trying to generally work with low-cost, quick-build materials, preserving the number of vehicle travel lanes and on-street parking. We didn't want to mess with that too much.
We also wanted to make sure we were gathering meaningful input from the public. So we did several public engagement sessions in order to meet those goals, recognizing that this was an opportunity to redefine the space, not just to put down new pavement and re-stripe.
We started with a neighborhood walk audit in March. Then in April, we came with a planning pop-up that highlighted this project with the initial alternatives, two of them. We got feedback. We put it together in an advanced alternative that we brought back to the neighborhood association and BPAC in May.
So I'm going to go through some zoomed-in screenshots of the plan so that you can actually see it. If I put it all on one slide, it would be way too small to be able- Mm-hmm ... to articulate it. But you can watch for these key features as we go through the next several slides.
We normalized travel lane width throughout the corridor to 11 feet, which is the standard for transit and emergency vehicles. They were in all of the conversations about the desired widths of the roadway.
But this moves it down from 17 feet in some segments, which gives you a really zoom through effect to try to get some traffic calming. We removed center turn lanes, decreased the turn radius on Preston, again, for that traffic calming effect coming into the corridor, added a four-way stop at Henry and Rose Hill for traffic calming and also based on community request to have a signalized intersection or to have a stop along the through traffic.
Narrowed pedestrian crossings, protected a 10 to 12 foot bidirectional bike facility with hardened buffer, maintaining the on-street parking supply as we set out in our goals, and also making sure that we're depicting the bus stop interactions and what that is going to look like.
So we start at the Preston Ave side of the corridor entering into Rose Hill. You can see here several of those things that I have just mentioned. We've got a bus stop across from each other at Dale. You move up to Henry.
We've got a four-way stop here. Again, bus stops, bike facility. You've got green hashings at the driveways and intersection conflict zones between vehicles and cars and bikes. When we move past Burley Middle School, you've got a segment where it's just travel lanes with no parking in the existing conditions or in the design, so we have a segment where we would have hardened infrastructure between the bike facility and the travel lanes.
We move around Madison Ave. And we looked at parking capacity both north and south of Madison Ave, keeping that consistent with the status quo. So we also have green hashings here to allow bikes to get into the facility at the halfway point of the corridor.
This is kind of moving up the hill towards Amherst. Got consistent travel corridor here for bikes, bus, and parking. Moving up to Westwood again, looks pretty consistent. And then we come up to the Rugby intersection, where we are ending this bike facility, and so we have some merging bike boxes to get into the facility coming from the north, west, and east, and also coming up to a bike box to get back into a shared travel lane.
So a lot of the changes are with the bike facility, but again, the overall project goals were several fold. It wasn't just for bikes. The community feedback overall, we had mixed signals. We got different things.
A lot of folks had support for keeping cyclists together and providing a buffer between different modes. Overall, huge support for slowing down car traffic, especially with stop signs or a traffic signal.
We specifically got requests for a traffic signal or second choice, a four-way stop at Henry and Rose Hill. Wanted shorter pedestrian crossings that feel comfortable across the corridor, and wanting to make sure that the bike facility would actually be maintained, so it could be used, and that's part of what shifted us towards a bidirectional bike facility on one side rather than a bike lane on either side.
We had a lot of questions, and we're going to go back out after this presentation with some responses on Connect Charlottesville and more engagement with community to answer these questions. Will cars and bikes look for each other?
There's some concern about whether the stop bar on the east side of Rose Hill will be set back so far from the travel lane that cars have a difficult time turning on to Rose Hill. Question about how to navigate the new bike facility as a cyclist, where you do enter and exit.
Whether car parking being adjacent to travel lanes is more dangerous for sideswipes on vehicles that are parked on the road. And people wishing that the design included a crossing directly in front of Burley.
We were able to attend NACTO in Minneapolis in April. City engineer and Councilor Oshin and I were there. You'll see us in a couple of these photos, where we were able to see a very similar structure, where you've got two travel lanes, bidirectional, parked car lane, protected bike facility.
In our experience cycling through it, there wasn't a ton of conflict between the bike and the cars. Folks were looking for us. Whether it's a learned behavior or a factor of the infrastructure is something that we'll see as we implement here.
But you can also see the shortened pedestrian crossing here as well. So the next steps for this project are to finalize the design by selecting hardening materials for pedestrian bump-out protection, as well as bicycle facility hardening.
And then this project will get handed off to Public Works for implementation. They will finalize the engineering schematics to include the curb cut designs that need to be brought up to ADA standard. Those will go in this fall and next spring, which will allow for a summer 2027 repaving and the new striping and materials to go on the ground.
So, any questions before we move on to the Citywide Mobility Plan? A couple questions. You mentioned them in the neighborhood concerns, but can you talk a little more about what are the options to address the visibility for cars pulling out from the neighborhood onto Rose Hill and for bikes exiting and entering the bike facility on either end?
Yes. I'm trying to go back to one of my slides where you can see the design plan. Then you got to tell her, "Okay." Oh, now it's working. Okay. Great. So let's just take a normal segment here. So when we had consultant support with developing these designs, and one of the things that we asked them to look at was the sight lines pulling out from, say, Westwood, to see the vehicle travel coming through the travel lanes.
And also, you've got easy visibility to cyclists, so you should be able to see cyclists no problem. Yeah, cyclists are fine. The parking lane is really where you're going to have obstacles for vision, and so they were looking that you can actually see far enough back from a stop bar through clear areas.
So that's why we've got, on a lot of the corners, that tan area. It's not actually going to be painted tan, but it is going to be a no-parking zone, so you have setback from the corners for enough visibility.
And also, if you've ever driven in an area with infrastructure like this, whether it's a bike facility or something else that has you set back from the actual travel lane, the reality of the mechanic is that you stop at the stop bar to be legal, and you pull forward slowly to make sure that you have a safe full turn.
Okay. And if people are using Westwood as a shortcut, it might encourage them to stay on Rugby. Absolutely. We did look at that. Yeah. We expect most traffic maybe try their way with Westwood and realize that it's not really going to save that much time and stay on Rose Hill to get to Rugby.
Yeah. And then for the entering and exiting of the bike facility at Preston and Rugby? Yes. So I pointed it out on Rugby, but on the Preston side, you can see up on the upper left turn. So the scope of this didn't include the whole intersection at Preston.
We might come back to that in a future transportation project. But for the time being, we're looking at repaving where you see the dark area, and then also painting a bike box on the left turn lane coming southbound on Preston.
Coming north on Preston, you would use the normal right turn lane. There's a little bike lane right there, but you just come over in the right turn lane as a shared lane and turn right into the bike facility.
So that is something that cyclists will need to learn, is that you can turn straight into the bike facility. When you're coming out of the bike facility there, we have the hashed green crossing because if you're going north, you can either cross with the bike with the pedestrian signal and walk your bike across and then join traffic.
We also, when we went to BPAC, had a conversation about what are people really going to do with this infrastructure on the ground, and a lot of experienced cyclists are going to use a protected bike facility where it's convenient for them, and they're going to merge into traffic where it's more efficient.
So you might see folks at Dale merging or going across the vehicle traffic if it's not too busy to go ahead and get up in a right turn lane to go north on Preston, and that's perfectly fine. They're allowed to use vehicle travel lanes.
The bike facility is just an option. Great. Thank you so much. I have a quick question. I wondered if that means we'll also-- Do you still mark the lane bike can use full lane when that is available? We are waiting on our signage plan.
Oh, okay. So I am curious, and I will ask that question. Yes, I'm curious, too. And then for imple- But across the city, you are allowed to use a travel lane whether or not it's marked that bike can use travel lane.
That's true. It's just nice to see the sign. I'll take that back. But is this implemented sequentially, or do you do top and bottom, or how does it go? Whole thing at the same time. Whole thing at the same time?
Yeah. The sections are only because they're different design widths. So the regularizing the design was applied slightly differently on whether we could fit parking on both sides. But the main thing is consistent throughout, and the whole thing will go in at the same time with the repaving the whole area and then re-striping the whole area and then putting down the modular things like bus stop signage.
What's the actual distance from top to tail? 0.6 miles. Thank you. Okay. One more question. I know you've done some neighborhood walks and community meetings about this, which is great. What is the continued community follow-up look like?
We are circling back together to decide that moving forward. There will be more information published to Connect Charlottesville. It's just not up yet. Okay. Answering some of those FAQs that we heard.
Part of what happened was that we went out to community several times back to back without having made revision to the design plan. So people probably heard the same thing from us multiple times without us integrating their feedback to provide a response.
Okay. Thank you. I just want to say the graphics are amazing. It's really easy to read, and I imagine when you take it to the public, it's like, "Yeah, I can see that." It's really easy to read, so great job.
Great. Thank you. Kind of progress that way. Thank you. You referenced the question about crossing at Burley. Do we have an answer, or are we still looking to consider that? I believe the answer is that the sight lines on that section of the hill make it unsafe to do that, and so we'd like people to be using the crossing at Henry, where we're going to have a stop sign controlled there.
Right now we do have a bump-out at Henry, so that's where a lot of the crossing happens today, because it's the safer place to cross. I think what we were hearing from people about crossing in front of Burley was really related to parent drop-off.
Mm-hmm. And if we have the parent drop-off closer to the building than it is today, we may not be seeing the same level of concern, because right now they have to cross two bike lanes and two traffic lanes and at least one parking lane to get to the building.
Mm-hmm. So hopefully we won't see that same level of chaos with the drop-off. And so Henry's on kind of that side of the school. Is there a crossing on the north side of- No, and that's where the question was coming up, either putting it at Concord or at Cynthiana, and neither of those is great, because it's on a hill.
And so is the next crosswalk on that side all the way up at Rugby? No. Madison. No, it's at Madison. Madison. Okay. It's at Madison. Yeah. Thanks. There's not one there today, I don't believe. Yeah, there is.
Oh, is there? There's a That's what it is. All right. Great. Thank you. What's the sense of, on the ground, how many people will actually still use that informally, even though if the goal is to have everyone use the alternative site to get to Burley if they're walking?
I think we'll see what the behavior looks like. We have been talking with the school there and seeing if there's something that can change with their parent pick-up and drop-off. Currently, they have two drop-off spots right in front of their building that are frequently just used by people parking and often teachers.
So some of it is about working with that school community. We have historically not engaged that directly with that school community because they're a county school. Mm-hmm. But through this project, we've gotten more engaged with them.
We're also talking with them about additional changes to the school zone code. We brought you changes back in December that were related to city schools. This is a county school, so it's not explicitly called out in our city code, so that's something we'll need to work through later this year.
Similarly, Community Lab School is also on this corridor. There's a lot of parent pick-up and drop-off there as well, so we want to make sure that they're aware that the travel pattern is going to be changing in front of their building as well.
So more coordination to go with the city or with county schools going forward before this gets implemented to make sure they understand how they're going to be impacted with pick-up and drop-offs. Mm-hmm.
Let me see if I can get us to where we were. All right. Citywide Mobility Plan Scoping. So to start, what is the purpose of scoping a citywide mobility plan? So first, we want to have a consistent approach to identifying and designing projects.
We want to make sure that we're doing this in a way that's equitable and consistent with plans and policies that we've already put in force. And we also want to make sure that there is a longer-term vision and strategy around implementing these projects, making sure that the implementation is connected to the vision that we have.
I do want to note for anybody who is reading Shaun Tubbs, the purpose of the City Mobility Plan is not responding to the infrastructure study requirement from our lawsuit. That is something we've already taken care of.
This is a plan that we were already in the works of discussing and is not necessarily responsive to any code requirements or state requirements. This is because we know that we have needs for identifying our own projects and making sure that they're done in an equitable way.
So the process for scoping has started with us initially looking at the transportation chapter of the comprehensive plan. It's got dozens and dozens of goals and objectives. And we wanted to see where we were with those goals and objectives.
Part of the comprehensive plan you may be familiar with is the first page says, "This is the transportation chapter for the comprehensive plan. Also here are a bunch of other plans that are included by reference." So we also went through all of those other plans to make sure that we were capturing those, reviewed all of the data that we have on hand to understand what that universe of data looks like, and then we summarized that into a draft existing conditions and plans assessment memo, which we will be publishing later this week or next.
But that really lays out these are the things that we need out of a mobility plan and why. So I'm going to walk you through some of the findings of that this evening so that you understand what the basis of this scope is going to be and how we're moving this RFP forward.
So the key findings of our existing plans. We've got a lot of major policy changes that got made as part of the zoning code update. So requirements around bike parking, the lack of requirements around minimum parking for vehicles, things like that have really changed what is expected of developers.
So that will really have a big influence on mobility in our region. We've also been working well with our regional partners, moving forward on the Blue Ridge Safety Action Plan. Sorry, Move Safely Blue Ridge ...
safety action plan and the regional transit vision plan. We've also completed our region's long-range transportation plan in the past couple of years, so we've got some momentum with our regional partners.
We've been able to test out quick builds and see where those might work, both through our Urgent Improvements program last year and the Safe Routes to School program, starting back during the pandemic.
Most of the bike lane network that we have identified in our bike planning, those unprotected bike lanes, we're pretty much done with all of the ones that we've identified. The real challenge is the protected facilities, moving forward with those.
We've also stood up a lot of programming and events that are supportive of things. So this shows up in our comprehensive plan as a strategy, and it's one that our bike ped coordinator, Tommy Safranek, has really run with and developed very well.
Do you mean Loop Deville on September 27th? Loop Deville, one of those. It's just you. Yes. We still have a lot of challenges. So we look through all these plans and realize they don't all match up. We've got many different lists of priorities, and we don't have a list that prioritizes the priorities.
So, that is a challenge. There's also the challenge of we have design guidance, we have federal and local and state codes. They don't all match up with our engineering policies. They don't all match up with each other, so there's some things that we need to align there.
A lot of our plans focus on new stuff, which is great, and we all love cutting ribbons, but there's also maintaining facilities that we have and improving facilities that we have. So we may have a sidewalk prioritization list.
That's all new sidewalks. That doesn't take care of the places where we need a better sidewalk. That doesn't take care of places where we know that the sidewalk is broken. Those are handled under different plans, different programs, different departments, and so we need to make sure that we have aligned that as well.
Something that has shown up in a lot of the different plans is do something with parking. I mentioned that we did a little bit with parking with the development code by requiring a minimum amount of bike parking, but also not requiring minimum amounts of vehicle parking.
But beyond that, we really don't have very robust plans for parking. We did have a plan back in 2016 that laid out parking needs around downtown. Since then, not a whole lot has been moved forward with that.
So we need to understand the supply and the demand of parking in the city. There are some challenges with collecting community input. I don't think that that's necessarily a challenge specific to transportation, but it's definitely one that shows up as a challenge for us.
And a lot of the time, the changes that we're looking for aren't just a matter of what does the city say needs to happen. If we're relying on some of the changes that came through the development code, that means that we need developers to develop those things to be able to see those changes happen.
We also have major employers that we could be saying, "Yeah, we want to have this great bus network," or, "Yeah, we want to have all these great bike lanes." But if those employers are not supporting their employees by having bike parking available or by supporting them for having a transit commute, then we're doing a lot of work for nothing.
Luckily, we have UVA as our major employer. They are doing a lot to incentivize their employees to different kinds of modes, but that's not really something that we have control over. So that's a challenge for us to figure out how do we work with these outside entities that may have more influence over how the city develops than we actually do ourselves.
Some findings from just looking at the data, I think you've seen this in some demographic presentations recently. Our growth patterns locally mean that a lot of our transportation is actually dependent on the growth that's happening outside of the city.
It's people coming into the city at daytime that we're really having to plan for, even though they don't live here. And so figuring out how that travel flow works is going to be a big part of this. We've got a lot of people who can't drive.
So when we're talking about doubling our population during the daytime, some of those people need to be walking, some of those people need to be biking, some of those people need to be riding transit just because they can't have any other option.
Either because they're too young or they've aged out of having the ability to drive anymore. There's a significant portion of the population that we need to make sure that we're accounting for. As we're looking through the data, there's also some gaps.
We have very limited parking supply and demand data. We're trying to figure out how to do that in a very clever way at this point, but we don't have raw data about the parking demand and supply that we're seeing.
We also are missing things like a clear sense of where people are comfortable walking and biking. There are some proposed metrics out there that can look at roadways and the volumes that are on them and what facilities are there and estimate what comfort is, but it's really hard to get to what actually is comfortable for people.
And attached to that first population employment, a lot of the issues that we're facing around congestion are not something that we can build our way out of. And it's not something that we can really affect all that much because of regional growth.
It's because of people coming in and needing to use our facilities. So we have to figure out how to cater to that growth, but also figure out how to deal with the fact that we're probably going to see some congested roadways while that growth is taking off.
So some additional findings. On the safety front, a lot of what we're seeing, in terms of fatalities and injuries, is affecting bicyclists and pedestrians. It's just simply in town our speeds are low enough that if two cars are hitting each other, you're probably not seeing serious injuries or fatalities.
But if a pedestrian's involved, if a bicyclist's involved, it's much more likely. The areas where these pedestrians and bicyclists and folks who are dependent on transit, they typically happen to be in lower income neighborhoods.
They typically happen to be in areas where you have zero-car households. So it's not just a matter of safety for these pedestrians or the Lycra guys wearing Lycra while they're out riding bikes. I'm one of them.
It's not about me. It's about the poor and low income folks in our community who have to rely on those things. Now they are also being subjected to danger. So we want to make sure that we aren't being inequitable with that as well.
And looking at the trend overall, not necessarily just in the city of Charlottesville, but across the country, you're seeing a lot more fatalities and serious injuries over the past five years as you've seen vehicle miles creep up, and a lot of that is happening to folks who are pedestrians and bicyclists.
This is what commuting looks like in our city in terms of who is taking what. We're pretty unique in that we have a very low amount of people who are driving alone, and that has only decreased over the past five years.
Pre-pandemic, we were looking at about 59% of the population in the city was driving alone to work, and now we're down to about 53. Some of that has been from improvements to biking, but most of it's from working from home.
A good 20% of people at this point are working from home still. May not be every day, may not be everyone's remote working all the time, but people are having that flexibility a lot more than they did.
Getting to 50% of people driving alone is pretty unique. Nobody else in this area is at that level. I think Albemarle is about 70%, and the state average is a little bit higher than that. So a lot of this has to do with what is the size of our community.
The people who are living within the city of Charlottesville, not that surprising that they're not driving that much because they live close enough to somewhere that they can walk or bike or ride transit.
One surprising thing that I have seen, though, is our walking is way high. And a lot of people like to point to, "Well, you're a college town." And what I've seen in the research recently is even if you look at just Virginia, and even if you just look at the college towns in Virginia, we're different.
We have a way higher walking percentage mode share than every other college town. And I think some of that may be attributable to we have a pedestrian mall. We have a location that people are walking to, even if they're in college or even if they're not.
We have that special amenity that other college towns don't. So I think that's something we could be celebrating as part of our 50th anniversary is how much this promotes walking to downtown. But beyond that, we do have that built-in advantage of being a college town, so we can lean on more people are going to be biking and walking and taking transit because the campus has that walkable, bikable, transit-accessible layout.
So we have something to build on. Yes. And this survey is just people commuting who live in the city of Charlottesville, or is it all commuting- This is just our- ... to and from- ... city residents, yes.
City residents. Mm-hmm. Okay. So this is American Community Survey. It's the same people who just do the census. So they do the census every 10 years. They do on an ongoing basis the American Community Survey, and that's where we get commuting data from.
Mm-hmm. Thanks. All right. So we walked through all of the existing conditions and data. That was a very high-level summary of what we found. From that, we laid out, here are the things that we need to do, here are the deliverables we'll need support from a consultant to be able to tackle some of these things.
And number one on this list is a project management plan because there's going to be 16 different deliverables for this thing. So we need a consultant that's going to be at the helm that is managing the timeline, managing when we are going to come to you with all of these different question points.
Also, number two, a public engagement plan. How are we going to approach the community with those same questions? When are we going to approach the community? What kind of questions are we expecting to ask them?
That includes creating a stakeholder group that's going to stick with the plan the whole time, and I'll talk a little bit more about that stakeholder group in a minute. It also talks about engagement with the general public, key interest groups that may be popping up for specific topics, appointed boards, council themselves.
When are we coming to you and at what points? The first thing that we're going to have to tackle is taking the existing conditions analysis that we did as staff and fleshing that out and making sure that we're capturing everything in a more detailed report.
Some of that is going to be updating some data that we have pointed out as staff as we need help updating these specific datasets. So it'll be filling in some gaps in our existing data, and some of it will be figuring out how are people using these networks today.
Based on that, we want to update the comprehensive plans chapter on transportation and make sure that the goals and objectives that we're listing are up to date. Some of the things that are in our comprehensive plan transportation chapter we've done So we can move on from them and fill them in with new goals and objectives.
We also want to make sure as part of this visioning that we understand what this plan is supposed to be used for and how it's supposed to achieve its goals. One of its first things that it'll be updating is the Streets at Work guidance.
That's our design guidance that leads into the standards and design manual. So first we say what kind of streets we want and how they're supposed to work, and then that translates into specific engineering standards.
So first we have the updated Streets at Work guidance. So we're taking the existing network and saying, "Where do we want the new network to look? Where do we want there to be new bike network facilities, pedestrian facilities, transit facilities, and where do they link up together?" One thing that we have a challenge in our Streets at Work guidance today is when we have overlap between these different networks, how is that supposed to look?
We know what it looks like on the corridors themselves, but we don't know what happens at the intersections between these networks. We also don't know what happens when we have conflicts between those networks.
So right now we have things in Streets at Work that say, "We may have this narrow street, but we're going to get transit, bikes, pedestrians, and cars down it, and we're going to have parking," and it's a 15-foot wide street, and it's just not realistic.
So out of those needs, which ones do we need to be prioritizing in these limited areas? Our current Streets at Work guidance doesn't do that, but we're expecting the new mobility plan to tackle that question.
Once we now know where the network is and where it has the gaps, then we can start talking about prioritizing those needs and figuring out how are we going to select these areas and come up with good projects in order to move forward with them.
Some of that's going to have to be responsive to updates we'll need to make to our standards and design manual. So if we've said, "A street should work this way," in number five, and then we've figured out, here are some projects that we need to be able to do in these streets.
In number seven, we're saying, "This is how it's going to look. This is how it's actually going to be engineered." This will also carry forward to projects that happen after the plan. So when we have something coming up from the public or we have something recommended from Planning Commission, it will go to our guidance and our design manuals to understand how these things actually get implemented.
That's number eight, is what happens when we get a report. Right now, we get a report from the public, and we chase it down, we try to come up with a solution. We don't have a very firm process of how that happens or what should be expected from the reporting process or reporting back to the person what the solution was.
We are currently working with Public Works to redefine what the traffic calming process would look like. We have one in place right now. It doesn't function very well or very easily for us. So we want to have a process in place that allows the public to give us that feedback but doesn't just leave it open-ended to how we're going to deal with it.
So we will come up with that ahead of the mobility plan, but as we're working through how it's working, we want to codify it within the mobility plan so we get the fixes in during this process. We will include policy updates that need to go into regional plans.
So we'll have another long-range planning effort through our MPO. We want to make sure that anything that's coming out of our mobility plan that needs to be connected to our regional partners is communicated.
That doesn't just mean the MPO projects or TJPDC's projects. That also means communicating with the county directly. They are working on a mobility plan in parallel with us, so we're meeting pretty regularly to make sure that our language is consistent and that the networks that we're talking about are going to actually link up with each other.
So making sure that our policy is being updated, is being communicated to them is going to be an important part of this. I think we're going to spend a lot of time on number 10 figuring out policies and investments needed around parking and vehicle storage.
As we are pulling together all of these different priorities, we'll have to tell you where we're getting the money from for these. There's going to need to be a mix of local, state, federal, and possibly private dollars to pull off a lot of these projects and programs that we're going to talk about.
We will also include a process for how does this plan get updated, because we're going to get three to five years into implementing this plan and realize there are some things that we want to adjust to it.
Is that an annual update? Is that every five years we update this thing? When are we coming back and fixing any of the stuff that came up that we realize isn't going according to the plan? The big thing that probably will come out of this plan that will need to be updated regularly is a unified capital plan list.
So this will take all of those little prioritization lists that are all in a bunch of different plans and condense them into a single place, which will help us put together a firm strategy for what the transportation CIP looks like.
I don't think I'm going to try to capture everything in this plan, so there's going to have to be an element of pointing to, okay, what other additional planning work needs to be done. Some of that is going to be pointing to specific capital projects and saying, "Yes, we have to do a process that engages the public on the design for this specific corridor." That may be something that we point out as a future planning thing.
There may be broader issues that we want to tackle in additional plans going forward. That may be curbside management and parking related, could be related to the traffic demand coming in from our surrounding localities, could be specific small area and corridor plans.
And it could be other plans like Our sustainability planning efforts that we want to make sure that things that were updated in this plan show up in their plans as well. We'll also be pointing out any ordinance changes that need to happen.
So I mentioned earlier that we're going to have to come back and talk about speed limits in a couple of months. I'm assuming as we go through this process, there are going to be some other ordinances that we're going to identify along the way that we're going to need to sort of pace out when we're coming to council to figure out how to fix those things.
And then lastly, how are we keeping track of this plan? How are we keeping track of the implementation? What are the metrics that we need to be keeping an eye on? And who is keeping an eye on it, and who's monitoring it?
And all of those things need to be laid out within this plan. So those are our 16 things that we're trying to get out of this plan. The last item that I'll talk about on this plan is engagement. We don't have it fully defined, but as I mentioned earlier, we do want to have a stakeholder group that follows this plan the entire way.
And so what we're looking at right now is appointing a mobility commission. This would be an external stakeholder group appointed by council, or at least that's how we're thinking of it right now. They would be reviewing all of these deliverables, giving us a staff feedback, and at the points when we would need to come to council for any direction along this plan, they would be giving you advice on what they saw as the important elements to move forward with.
They'll also be the ones who recommend to you whether we should adopt that plan or not. As the plan is going on, they're intended to be sort of the stewards of the plan, and during that plan, they will also be defining what their role is after the plan so that they can oversee the implementation of those capital projects.
There are other public input needs that we've identified that have been handled through other committees in the past. We have in the past had a transit advisory committee, which technically exists on paper but doesn't exist in practice.
We currently have BPAC, which is an open committee that doesn't have specific guidance on what they're supposed to be providing feedback on, but they serve as a pretty good opportunity for public input.
And then CTAC was a thing at MPO for a while. This was Citizens Transportation Advisory Committee that was sort of a regional body. Recently shut itself down because they didn't really see that they had an opportunity to provide a whole lot of feedback that was useful at the point of the region conversation.
They were really more interested in having earlier conversations at the jurisdiction level. So this would give folks who are interested in opportunities like CTAC an opportunity to serve the community and provide the feedback.
There is a question of, is this work the planning commission could be doing? And I don't know the answer to that. That will be something that you'll have to decide. But one reason we're looking at this as a separate entity from planning commission is partly the volume of things that I just mentioned that they're going to be responsible for.
It seems like a lot for planning commission to take on. The other reason is planning commission is a sort of beast created by state law. They have some responsibilities to do some things that are required by the state.
This would be something that is not constrained by any existing legal obligations or responsibilities. So they wouldn't have the same duties that planning commission is already assigned. Whether we want to layer additional duties onto planning commission, it's for further discussion.
This is something that we are hoping as part of doing an RFP to get consultant support that they will be helping us through their public engagement plan, define what that role is going to be, define what the request of council will be when it comes to any changes to the ordinance to set this up and any guidance that they may have about people to appoint to such a commission.
In addition to this, we are going to be looking at a wide array of other opportunities for public engagement. We'll obviously have an online webpage. We'll be doing surveys online. We'll probably be doing focus groups, sort of peer focus group kind of engagement, as well as larger public open house kind of style engagement.
So there's going to be a lot of opportunities for us to collect public input through this process. The Mobility Commission is just one sort of stable entity that we want to see throughout the entire process.
And I've got one last slide, I think. All right, here we go. So the next steps for the mobility plan, we are cleaning up our draft scope and working with procurement to figure out how to move forward into the RFP stage.
We will be publishing the mobility plan's initial connect page in the next couple of weeks. That should have a draft of the existing conditions assessment that I talked about earlier, as well as sort of the timeline for what we're looking at with this RFP.
Our anticipated kickoff for this would be in April, or sorry, fall of 2026. I don't know where I got April from. Our initial steps are going to be talking with that consultant about what is your management plan for all of these deliverables, because it's a lot of stuff.
What's the public engagement plan, and how do we move forward with this idea of the mobility plan? In the meantime, we're meeting with the county very frequently these days and talking about things like scope, timeline, shared concepts, and language to keep us on a similar timeline as them.
We, I think, are a little bit more blessed than they are. We know that we're going to be on more of a two-year timeline because we have some funds already to support this and bring in consultant ... support to make sure that our staff can tackle such a big endeavor.
Right now, the county is not looking at having consultant support or having funding for it. So we may get off of being on the same track. They may be a little bit slower than us because they're relying on just staff.
But we're at least at the beginning going to make sure that we're framing everything out with them, that we're headed in the same direction. We're trying to get this done in a two-year planning process to make sure that we are lined up for a budget cycle because we know we're talking about a lot of capital projects.
So based on this timeline, the budget cycle we'll be talking about all of these capital improvements that we'll need to understand how we get them funded would be the FY30 budget cycle that we'll be starting discussions on in fall '28.
So that's where we're headed. I think that's all I got. Questions? Yeah. That looks me. So we were asking as we- I have a question ... were going along- Before you do that, could you attempt to establish Councilor Smock's presence?
Oh, Lloyd, can you hear us? I can hear you. Can you hear me? Oh, he stepped out, yeah. Still not working. Maybe he stepped out to grab dinner. Lloyd? It's still our speakers. Okay. We're able to hear him.
He's very faint. Hmm. Okay. Yeah. Okay. So we will continue to work on that for the regular business meeting, so that he... But were you able to hear Lloyd? If he can give the thumbs up, at least, at presentation.
So if we have a question, is he able to text you or- Yeah. Lloyd, if you want to text me or type it into the chat, we can ask it on our end. And I'm also happy to follow up if you have any questions for me to follow up on after this.
Does someone else want to go while we- No, I thought he's... Sure. Yeah. What I love the thinking about let's engage the public in the planning process so that maybe there's a dashboard or something that there, some way for us to follow along.
I think we often don't get to see that, and that this is such a massive plan. I think I'm glad you're building that into the process. Yeah. Some of that's for the public and some of that is to keep my head straight, too.
Right. But I wonder, not to skip too far ahead, but would there be a time, or is it required from other entities that the mobility plan would be the only plan? Like every five years, you redo the mobility plan, and you can drop a transportation plan and a transit plan and just do a mobility plan?
It's something that we can talk about in that I think one of the deliverables I highlighted was figuring out how we update the plan. I think that's the part of the discussion we're talking about there, and I don't know that the answer is yes, we're going to come back every five years.
We also want to look at what our other planning efforts do. So we have our comprehensive plan that does have a regular cadence of when it needs to be updated. It may be that the next time that it needs to be updated is a good time for us to update the information that's in the mobility plan, and it's not necessarily that we're going to rewrite the mobility plan or do a specific update to the mobility plan.
It just may be that we're moving on to the comp plan as the new vehicle for how we do the transportation planning. Ah, okay. That makes sense. But that'll be a discussion that we have as we sort of flesh out what does an update to a mobility plan look like.
Got it. Yeah. Thank you. Go ahead. Okay. Michael? Yeah, lots of different directions to go. Lots in there. On the public engagement piece, are there any plans yet to kind of intentionally as part of that ensure that communities like Midway Manor or Crescent Halls are engaged who are disproportionately elderly or disabled and may not be able to drive, and similarly to guarantee and intentionally reach out to communities, affordable housing communities where likewise people may disproportionately be zero or one shared car households not by choice?
Yeah. I think I may have worded it in the slide a little bit, but the intention is both to paint with the broad brush and try to get as many people as we can, but also understanding that we are going to have to be targeted with some folks and with some populations that do have trouble getting to public engagement or maybe can't engage online but can do it in person.
So we're going to have to be flexible with people and try to meet them where they are, whether they can come out or not. Mm-hmm. Yeah, and I would definitely strongly encourage just going to those neighborhoods and communities and just trying to be there, meet people where they're at.
Because as you referenced, the majority of pedestrian deaths in the city and county have been poor and working-class people, either early in the morning or late at night walking to or from work, and just a very important perspective to have part of what priorities need to be.
Other questions, is there a sense of timeline at this point in terms of with the bus stops when things would start to be implemented in terms of improvements? Sure. So the first things that you'll see improved are actually new bus stops.
So Zoe has been working on identifying where new bus stops would go along the Route 2 where there's a realignment of the Route 2 happening later this year. And so there'll be some new stops that you'll see pop up in the county.
It's a realignment of service that'll go down to Mill Creek, down to the jail. So you'll see some new stops popping up down there You'll also see some showing up in the city. Right now, that route is a big circle that goes to Fifth Street Station and then comes back into downtown up by Avon Street.
It's going to switch to being going up and down Avon Street. So it won't go down Fifth Street. So you're going to start seeing some southbound new bus stops showing up with new amenities, as well as some new amenities on the northbound stops in the city.
So that'll be the first place you'll probably start seeing some changes. We have a few shelter projects that are already in the hopper, but this analysis of what we have on the ground here today is going to inform what the next list of things is.
So we haven't quite gotten to that yet, but that is our next step, and that should inform work that would go on the ground next year. So usually, we're doing construction things during the spring, summertime, so anything we're working on right now isn't going in until later.
Mm-hmm. And with the speed limits, you referenced those streets like Fifth Street, where the just design of the road is inherently dangerous, regardless of what we post as the speed limit, which to me seems like those are the most dangerous roads.
They're also the most complex to fix. Is there a rough sense of timeline at this point in terms of when physical improvements would be made to not just Fifth Street, but some of those other ones that are similar to that?
I think that's some of what we're going to have to answer in the mobility plan because we're going to have a lot of needs like that. I think we get done what we can get done, knowing that what we can get done is only the stuff that's the safest.
The other stuff, you're right, is more complex and is going to require more funding, probably a greater degree of investment in infrastructure, and so we need to look at how many of these places do we have and which ones do we start with first, and that sort of discussion and decision making is really baked into what we're trying to do with the mobility plan.
Mm-hmm. So it may be a few years before we get to major physical improvements on something like Fifth Street, but we need to know that we're putting them in the right place and we've considered the right things first.
Mm-hmm. And you talked about, beyond new construction, the importance of maintenance and obviously, there are sections of sidewalk in town where there are giant chunks missing that people are using to get to grocery stores and places that technically are there, but is a problem.
And you referenced that it's distributed across different departments. Mm-hmm. Do you see there would be an important need to kind of improve cross-department coordination and to get to those fixes on a more timely manner?
Yeah, I do think that some of what we're talking about here is figuring out how we make those different processes coordinated together. So for one example, the ADA transition plan has identified a lot of curb ramps that need to be updated.
How do we make sure that when we're going in and doing a repaving on a corridor like Rose Hill, that we're also coordinating the ADA upgrades that need to happen there, or any maintenance needs on the sidewalks that need to happen there?
So it's making sure that we're doing that prioritization of improvements in a way that is also accounting for all of the maintenance needs that we've already committed ourselves to. So aligning those together.
Mm-hmm. Yeah, and I have no idea how to do that, but it seems- It's going to be a fun trick to pull off. Yes. And it makes me think similarly, I know in the past, there are transportation changes where there's kind of conflict between departments.
It's just one example. The fire department may say, "We can't put speed tables there. We can't narrow the width of the road." You look at the regulations, it is allowed, but it is a recommendation in terms of being perhaps extremely cautious.
How can we get those departments to kind of talk to each other better and be on one shared page? Or if a conflict point emerges like that, kind of what happens at that point? What happens when conflict comes up is a lot of the reason that we're doing the mobility plan because right now, when we have that come up, the answer is we go ask Sam what to do.
And that doesn't always need to be the answer. We need to have some answers before that usually. So we're hoping that some of those conflicts of policy questions that come up, as you mentioned, things like speed tables and the fire department.
Right now, we don't have a policy baked into anything that says what it is. It's a matter of talking to the fire department every time we want to do any sort of traffic calming. But if we can bake that into our plans and our standards and engineering doesn't have to call the fire department every time that they want to do a traffic calming thing, then we can move a little bit faster.
I will say that I have not really noticed really a lot of conflict. It's more making sure everybody's talking to each other and knows what's happening. So that's also part of what's supposed to be in this mobility plan is making sure we're all on the same page.
A lot of the conflict that you may hear coming up amongst staff is really people being surprised that something's happening, and we all want to make sure that we have our two cents factored in. And that process can slow down things, but I think we are basically on the same page with how to move forward with things with our fire department and our EMS folks.
Mm-hmm. That was a very optimistic answer there. I'm imagining a series of listservs, like there's the speedbumps@charlottesville.gov, and it goes out to all the departments that need to know about the speed bumps or something like that.
Mm-hmm. I mean, that's kind of how MyCville works, but yeah. Yeah. To citizens. Oh, no, I mean internally. Oh. The work groups will have their shortcuts so that people can get updated- Mm-hmm ... sequentially.
Sorry to interrupt. No, you're good. Hopefully we'll get there, but and the only other thing I can think of is just I'd be very curious for the next general assembly legislative session In my mind, I'm thinking particularly with protected bike lanes and bus stop shelters.
To the extent that there are any regulatory or rubric barriers to those things at the state level, how can we start to advocate to change that in our legislative packet? And maybe there are other areas, too, that I'm not thinking of.
Well, I'm sure there are, but- Yeah, and I'm sure as part of the mobility plan, we're not just going to come to you with, "Hey, here are code updates that you can make." There's also going to be things that we point to, "Hey, there's these barriers at state and federal levels," or, "Hey, there's these barriers with we have a transit system that serves the county that has other issues that we don't have." I'm thinking of the bus shelter issue specifically.
That has been something that it's written in state code that you have to treat it like a building, and it has to be permitted like a building. And for the past few years, there's been a little bit of an administrative workaround, but that might be something that we come to you and say, "It'd be way easier if this was just a change in state code." But that is something that we would look at as part of the mobility plan.
Mm-hmm. And again, if there's lower hanging fruit, we'd love to be able to get that in our next legislative packet- Sure ... rather than the conclusion of the whole plan. But that is it for me. Thank you for all the information.
Mm-hmm. Natalie? All right, I'm going to ask Lloyd's question first, which is about the comp plan. It's a little out of the scope of this presentation, but related. The comp plan is supposed to be updated this year.
What is the plan for that? Oh. So we're going to be-- Hello. I'll take this one. You'll take this one. We are going to be coming back to council with the plan for that review and update for the comprehensive plan.
So stay tuned. That's coming. Could I try to jump in? Can you hear me? Oh, we can hear you. Yeah, we can hear him a little bit. Really quiet. Yeah. Really quiet. Shh. Okay, well I'll try to speak loudly.
Remy said something about having to swap the cable out to a different port or something. It's working. We gotcha. Okay. My question, really, I was asking about the comp plan in particular because I'm concerned that when you say that the mobility commission would not be constrained by existing legal obligations and responsibilities like the planning commission is, I'm concerned that you're setting up the mobility commission to be in a silo.
Because the planning commission is the body that is supposed to approve the comp plan before it comes to us, and if you're not running things through the planning commission, how are they supposed to do the job of integrating the mobility plan into the comp plan?
Yeah, I'll note that is not an intention to bypass the planning commission because the mobility plan would be adopted as an amendment to the comprehensive plan, and therefore, would have to go through that normal process of the planning commission reviewing and providing a recommendation to council.
So I'm wondering what it means when the presentation says that the mobility commission would not be constrained by the existing legal obligations and responsibilities like the planning commission. I- Would they have any responsibilities?
The mobility commission? I think, A, the role that they would play is still to be defined specifically. So- But I think what that line is referring to is that the planning commission has an existing set of roles and responsibilities that- I see ...
they're already required to meet. And one of those responsibilities would be to integrate anything that people are proposing to be a part of the comp plan into the comp plan. Yep. So before we continue on, let's go ahead, and since Lloyd is officially participating, Lloyd, can you state where you are?
I am in Bassey, Virginia on vacation. I will say that I've been able to hear everything going back to 4:00 o'clock, and I can watch everything. I watched the entire presentation. I just haven't been able to talk until just very recently.
Right. Is there a motion for Lloyd to participate electronically? So moved. Second. All in favor, please say yes. Yes. All opposed, please say no. Okay, so we have a- Thank you. We have a robust closed session, so if we could wrap up in the next 10 minutes or so, if we can.
Do you have any more questions, Lloyd? Wow. That was the main issue that was concerning me as I heard everything there. Other things we'll talk about later on. Okay. Natalie. Thanks. Just a couple of things.
Going off of what Michael said about low-hanging fruit is, I don't want there to be no implementation in the meantime. Mm-hmm. So what is our... Especially, you said the Fifth Street project could take some years.
Is that some years to harden or some years to start? Because that's something we've already talked about and scoped- Yep ... and approved, and that sort of thing, so. Yeah, so we do have a pretty robust backlog of things to be working on.
So you will still see things being constructed and built. Fifth Street Bikeway and road diet is one that we are looking at implementing an interim version of next year. So it's not that you're not going to see anything on Fifth Street until this mobility plan is done.
There are steps along the way that we will keep moving forward with. Similarly, another project that I didn't mention here at all that you've probably heard about a lot, West Main Street. That utility project is still going to keep marching down West Main Street.
We are also planning on coming back while this mobility plan is happening and doing A similar restriping, repaving program like we did on Rose Hill to understand what goes in that corridor when we repave it.
So there's still other implementation work and other corridor work that will happen along the way. This is just going to be the main focus. Okay. And I know the Locust Avenue folks would like to be on that list as well.
Sure. And then something that I've talked about in various forms before, which is a policy school for community engagement where, I don't know if it's a landing page with instructional guidance or resources, but in conjunction with the community outreach, a way that people can read up on stuff, not just the one time we go out into their community, but a landing page where they can learn about, oh, this is why bollards are good, or this is why a speed table works, or this is why a narrow road is actually safer.
That sort of glossary of policy maybe would be something that I would be interested in seeing. I know during Streets That Work back in 2016, there was a lot of discussion of explaining and educating what are the options here.
That, I think, is what we run into a lot is that folks don't understand what options they have. And sometimes that means they give us a lot of requests that aren't feasible, and sometimes they give us a lot of requests that aren't actually going to fix the problem.
Right. And so, yes, making sure that folks are educated about what Streets That Work actually can be and what it should be to make the streets actually work is going to be part of that part of the process, I believe.
Okay. Great. Yeah, I think there's an opportunity there for it to be informative but also interesting and not a dry textbook sort of index, but an actual interactive, engaging learning experience. Yep.
Okay. That's all I've got. I told you I was planning a transportation plan for the county back in eons ago, and doing this for the board of supervisors, this is light years ahead of that. This is really impressive.
But one of the things that I really did a lot to make sure I didn't hear from the same people was just make an effort to make sure that you get input from as wide a net of the community as possible, and I know you're doing a lot for that.
That's something that's real important. I found that if we didn't do that, you would get, not skewed information, but more predictable. I really like the information I saw with the packet of the breakdown from 2019 to 2024, the changes.
That's great information to know. And that we're kind of known as a walking city of college towns. So, what's, Sam, the next steps? Mr. Fries will continue to work with Ben on making sure that we take those next steps.
I think there's probably still some follow-up. I have a few notes and questions that I'll be posing that we'll work on as well, but I think we're just giving you the update because the work continues.
I see you have your staff here. Thank you all so much. I know that this takes a team effort to do this, so thank you all so much. We're going to go into closed session and hopefully be back at 6:30. Thank you.
Pursuant to Section 2.2-3712 of the Virginia Code, I move that this city council close this open meeting and convene in a closed session as authorized by the Virginia Freedom of Information Act as follows.
One, pursuant to Virginia Code Section 2.2-3711 , 1,4, A, a discussion and consideration of the performance of the city council appointees specifically to conduct the city manager's annual performance evaluation, and B, discussion and consideration of prospective candidates to be appointed to the Retirement Commission.
That's the motion. Can I get a second? Second. All in favor, please say yes. Yes. All opposed, please say no. Thank you. We'll be back in an hour. Just a reminder, one more question. Yeah. I call the Charlottesville City Council meeting back into order.
We will now go into our business meeting, but before we do that, we will be read out of closed session. I move that this council certify by a recorded vote 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.
Is there a second? Second. Before we... I forgot to invite Lloyd back in. We had already certified that Lloyd is working. Not working, he's on vacation, but he will be joining us remotely. Lloyd, can you hear us?
Yes, I can. Can you hear me? Okay. Can we turn Lloyd up just a little bit, Remy, please? There we go. All right. And so, it's been moved and properly seconded. All in favor, please say yes. Yes. Maybe a little lower.
Down a little bit. All opposed, please say no. Great. We did make an appointment in closed session. Are you going to read that, Natalie, did you say? Oh, do I just make a motion? Yeah, let me pull it up.
Sorry. Got to get their names right. A motion to appoint to the Retirement Commission, Michelle Christian and Barbara Sites. Second. All in favor, please say yes. Yes. All opposed, please say no. Great.
Before we begin, we will have a moment of silence. Great. Thank you all very much. Are there any announcements? I would- Yeah ... just two announcements. One, just an acknowledgement of at the end of last month, the ICE raids that occurred in Greene County where around 50 individuals were arrested with work vehicles indiscriminately stopped.
I know it's all part of our broader Charlottesville community, and many of those folks impacted have connections to Charlottesville, work here, know people who are here. So just an acknowledgement of- Yeah ...
everything that happened there. The only other announcement from me is just that boards and commissions are still accepting applications. There are a number of boards and commissions with vacancies with applications that are due by August 1st.
Some of the boards and commissions with openings include the Charlottesville Affordable Housing Fund, Charlottesville Redevelopment and Housing Authority, or CRHA Board, Community Development Block Grant and Home Task Force, Housing Advisory Committee, Jefferson Madison Regional Library Board, Social Services Advisory Board, and a number of others.
These are boards and commissions that all have a direct impact on city policy decisions around public housing, affordable housing, social services investments. So if anyone is interested in getting involved at that level, you can search Charlottesville Boards and Commissions applications.
There's a city news alert, and that website outlines all the ones that are open, and you can apply online or via paper in person. And again, that deadline is August 1st to apply for these vacancies. Great.
Other announcements? Yes. July is a application month for the e-bike voucher program. So the best way to find information about that is connect.charlottesville.gov, which is our city's website for programs and engagement.
So even if you're not interested in the e-bike voucher program, everyone should check out Connect C-Ville to find out where the public engagement platform for the city is. So, just a good place to know about to check out things.
But Apply for a voucher in July, and then in August, the winners will be drawn and notified. And it is a tiered system, so if your income is lower, you get a bigger voucher. Okay. Thank you. Jen, do you have any announcements?
No. Okay. It's now time for Community Matters. We have opportunity for 16 people to speak. Eight people have already pre-registered to speak, and those who don't get a chance now, there will be an opportunity at the end of the meeting for those who didn't get a chance to speak during this time now.
But before we do that, I know a lot of people have been commenting on the MARS project, and I'm going to have the city attorney to read a statement about that, kind of where we are with it. Certainly.
Thank you, Mr. Mayor. So City Council requests that I speak to the recent request that the City Council rescind or take another vote regarding its decision to approve a certificate of appropriateness- So, can you speak a little bit loud?
I think there's a- Boy, I've never heard that before in my life. Yeah. So the City Council asked that I speak to recent request that the Council rescind or take another vote regarding its decision to approve a certificate of appropriateness for the city's historic review guidelines for the MARS project on 7th Street.
Now, I know that many people feel strongly about this project. It's not my intent to dismiss anybody's concerns. Rather, I want to be clear about the legal question. The question is whether Council can now rescind its action or vote on that appeal again.
The answer is no. This decision was made under very specific historic review process that was established by state law and the city's development code. Once Council acted on the appeal, its role in that process was complete.
The process does not provide a mechanism for Council to reopen the matter or hold another vote. I know that legal explanation isn't going to resolve the broader disagreements about the project. It's simply intended to explain why another vote by Council is not legally available.
Okay. And I would just say, Mr. Mayor, if I could- Yeah ... if state law does not allow a revote on that specific land use question, I would still be interested in us initiating a zoning text amendment process to expand the core neighborhood overlay and allow student housing by special exception permit versus by right, as well as in addition to that, amending our .5 mile radius framework so student housing does not pay lower affordable housing fees than non-student housing.
I just say that because there are still policy mechanisms. There are still choices for Council to make. Thank you. So we're going to get into our speakers. The first speaker is Mary Galland. Galland? Oh.
Before we- Oh ... before we hear from our first speaker, if everyone would do me the favor of if there is an empty seat next to you, please slide over, and let's try to make sure that we provide room for everybody to take a seat.
I'm sure we'll probably have additional folks coming in. Yeah. Thank you. Thank you. And, ... There's some seats down here in the middle. Yeah. If anyone would like to come sit. So Mary's our first speaker, and Claude Convesser will be the next, so you can get ready.
So go ahead. Mayor Wade, councilors thank you so much for the opportunity to speak. My name is Mary Galland. It's close. Yeah, I'm sorry. And I live at 1292 Kenwood Lane. I read last week that the city intends to transition the current riverfront encampments by September, and I wanted to speak tonight in support of that decision.
I just wanted to make about three points. It's okay. Okay. Three points, and just start out with a little background about me. I moved to Charlottesville in 2019, and it is not an understatement to say that my first love was the river, my second was my husband.
And because of that, we made sure that we made it so that all our family and friends could actually go down the Rivanna on our wedding weekend, because it was a free public space that we loved. So with that, I just want to make those three points.
So first, I think that public spaces should be available and safe to the public. And unfortunately, right now the Rivanna Riverfront, and this should not come as a surprise to anyone, it is no longer that across the whole area in the city for walkers, joggers, families.
I certainly can't take my toddler who wants to grab everything and everything that is on the ground on certain sections of it today, and for others who just want to appreciate the beauty of the river within our city.
The present condition is antithetical to the city's goals for the Rivanna Riverfront. And I have friends who, unfortunately, just no longer wanna meet up for walks along it. Shh. Okay. I have friends who no longer wanna meet up along it to walk, and businesses and owners of businesses who are significantly affected as well.
Second point I wanna make is that thank you to the city and to all the folks back here as well. Enjoy that coffee. Please, please. Shh. The city has made significant investments, both in funding and organizations, and purchasing real estate to help folks who do not have a place to sleep.
So thank you for that. These commitments go beyond what many comparable cities do, and even much larger ones. I'd also like to thank those who are working in the organizations for outreach to these communities.
Thank you. Thank you. My third point- Yes. Okay. Time is up. They interrupted me, sir. Yeah. No. You can share with us. We have a lot less speakers, so thank you. You're not. Yeah. Thank you. Boo. Thank you.
Please, everyone will have an opportunity to speak, but I'm going to ask you all to please not to interrupt speakers. Okay? Thank you all so much for doing that. We can get through this. Everyone will get a chance if we were respectful for everyone.
Thank you. The next speaker after Claude is Jeffrey Lucianndrello. So, please. Good evening, Mayor Wade, Vice Mayor Osrin, and City Councilors. My name is Claude David Conviser. Although turning down $7 million specially earmarked for the city is hard to do, in the strongest terms, I encourage you not to open an unnecessary and dangerous transitional housing facility for the homeless, as it will give a bigger operational base than the organized crime mafia already has at the Haven- ...
from which to wreak havoc- Please. Please, every- ... here in Charlottesville. It's his point of view. Please I am a lawyer who has lived here as a homeless man since June 2024 while pursuing a $500 billion lawsuit against ExxonMobil Corporation on behalf of the biofuel company Plant Oil Powered Pop Diesel I have run since 2008.
From living among the homeless population, and because I am standing up to fossil fuel interest, including the organized crime mafia that controls biodiesel, the competing biofuel to our straight vegetable oil, and Big Tech, who is dependent on cheap fossil fuel to power data centers and whose intelligence service is headquartered here in Charlottesville, S&P Global Intelligence, and for whom John Frazee of Impact works, I share with you insights I have gained.
The Haven's operations director, Ocean Aiello, sat down at my breakfast table there one day and asked to have a personal relationship with me. Seeking to influence my conduct towards the Haven's organized crime backers, she implied that if I declined, I would suffer retaliation.
Then, after the federal judge dismissed my lawsuit and I persisted in refiling it, four men assaulted me in nine separate incidents at The Haven. When I pressed criminal charges and two of them were convicted of assaulting and battering me, The Haven expelled me and not them.
The same sort of thing happened after the deputy director of Patsham, Haley Shelton, similarly asked to become involved and I declined. She retaliated, and I had to quit the Patsham shelters in early February 2025 after three months in residence.
Thanks to the generosity of the churches who provide the homeless shelter, there was never a time during the winter of 2025 that a homeless person could not spend the night at a church shelter or the Salvation Army's warm room, with a total capacity of 60 beds.
Adding 80 beds for sure invites the mafia to send even more of its agents here to commit crime against business competitors like me and many others. Any nonprofit you hire to manage such a facility will be under the influence of private intelligence services and their agents with their own criminal agendas.
In contrast, churches, the synagogue, and mosque are the moral pillars of our community. From proceeds of my lawsuit, God willing, I commit hundreds of millions of dollars to establishing church permaculture hubs to get our region off fossil fuels quickly and end homelessness.
Please exercise- Thank you ... forbearance and patience. Thank you. Thank you so much. Jeffrey is next, and after that it'll be Donna Chambers. My name is Jeff Lucianndrello, resident of the Greenbriar neighborhood.
Good evening, Mayor Wade and members of council. I support the decision to clear the Free Bridge encampment, but we also need to acknowledge that this action comes nearly a year after Chief Cocchi's recommended prohibiting camping on public property and after residents warned precisely where continued action would lead.
I myself wrote to Councilor Snook at the time expressing my concern about the tabling of the matter. Council did not act before the crisis. It acted after conditions became impossible to ignore. It's reactive government and not leadership.
At previous meetings, residents expressing ordinary concerns about safety, public order, and stewardship of shared spaces were shouted down and treated as morally suspect. We cannot allow intimidation, slogans, and accusations of heartlessness to substitute for reasoned public debate.
The loudest activists do not necessarily represent the broader community, and governing requires the courage to make difficult decisions before failure becomes undeniable. The principle we have lost is simple: compassion must include standards.
Public spaces belong to the public. No one has the right to convert a trail, park, sidewalk, or riverbank into a private residence, intimidate other users, openly consume drugs, harass residents for money, or create dangerous and unsanitary conditions.
Nor do I support building a low-barrier shelter that institutionalizes those same behaviors indoors at public expense. Sir- You've been a perfect example of the behavior, right, folks- Sir ... who are not willing- Okay ...
to tolerate ... opinions different from their own, and believe they have the right to dominate a public space and bully others into submission. They're showing their colors here tonight. How are you? Oh, yeah.
A shelter- Please ... a shelter should be a pathway out of homelessness, not a permanent publicly subsidized alternative lifestyle requiring no sobriety- Mm-mm ... treatment, employment- Mm-mm ... or behavioral expectations.
Right. And good point. Showing their colors. Mm-hmm. Different people require different interventions. More stable and- Someone displaced by rent or temporary misfortune may need short-term housing assistance.
Someone suffering from addiction needs treatment and accountability. Someone whose severe mental illness makes safe, independent living impossible may need institutionalization or secure residential care.
We have treated institutionalization as an unthinkable violation of personal freedom, but leaving someone psychotic, addicted, exploited, or dying on the street is not humane. Refusing to make a difficult decision does not preserve that person's dignity.
It abandons that person while transferring the consequences to families, businesses, emergency rooms, and surrounding communities. Charlottesville's responsibility is not to make chronic homelessness easier and more comfortable.
It is to create a clear path away from it, and to insist that those capable- Thank you, sir ... of following that path do so. Thank you. Thank you. Donnez next, and then it's Jennifer Grant. Please, everyone.
You may not agree, but we want everyone to be heard. Okay? Thank you all so much. Th- He just threatened you ... Jeffrey. There's Jeffrey, too. So the next speaker is Donnez, and then Jennifer Grant. Is Do- Hello, how's it going?
Good. I am one of the ones from the encampment at Free Bridge. And I moved to Charlottesville in 2016, and from there I had a job, I was working. I was staying at Garrett Square. I winded up moving out of there, and I've been through all the programs that y'all have for people that's homeless, through the Haven, through the Salvation Army, even trying Region 10 for help, and I've been in these low-income housings y'all have.
They're all trash. Y'all do nothing with them. Every other night, there's gun shootings, there's bullet holes coming through your door. Nobody wants to live in those places. But y'all sit here and blame the homeless people for being homeless.
Oh. Y'all have to fix y'all problem if you want us to fix our problem. Y'all say these people got mental health, mental problems, drug addictions. What place do y'all have for these people to go to get the help they need?
Nothing. None. There's none at all. None. If y'all don't stand up against these people and fix y'all problems, this is gonna continue to go on. You say you don't want homelessness, but you're not fixing the problem that's causing homelessness.
Let's go, D. Whoo. Come on. So yeah, I've definitely been from Hardy Drive to Garrett Square to 6th Street, and living over there, it's unbearable. Gunshots every night. You come down there and harass the homeless, but when these people are shooting in these apartments with these fully automatic guns and stuff, nothing is done.
Those should be the places y'all should be trying to fix so people could get housing and go to these places and live. I have a son that's 8 years old now, and when he was 5, I tried to get him into Region 10 because he has autism, and they kept denying me, kept denying me, kept denying me.
When me and his mom was on the street and she was pregnant, I had a job working at Miller's that a lot of y'all know. Mm-hmm. I went to the Haven and asked for help. Denied, denied, denied. I wasn't a felon.
I hadn't been in jail long enough. All these programs that y'all have for people, they deny you, send you out the door, and do nothing. Mm-hmm. And then you wonder why the homeless is. And then you wonder why the encampment out there has got so big.
Y'all keep sending the news crew down there, and they're reporting what they want. Y'all sending invites for people to come. Y'all wonder why all these people out of town are there. Y'all opening the door for it.
But go coming down there recording, recording, news crew recording. Y'all brought all these people here, and now y'all trying to blame the people there for the problem. We did not cause the problem. Y'all caused the problem.
So if you want the problem fixed, y'all gonna have to fix it. Let's go, D. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Yeah. I'm sorry, what was your name? Donnez. Donnez Chambers. Okay. I'm sorry. I mispronounced your name.
It's okay. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you, but yeah. We're not causing no problems. Right. People come down there all the time, walk, kids and all. Mm-hmm. And we don't bother nobody. They don't bother us.
Thank you. Jennifer Grant. Jennifer Grant is next, and then Rosia Parker. Then Rosia Parker. Jennifer Grant? Okay. Good evening. I'm Jennifer Grant. Good evening. I'm also on the Free Bridge side at the encampment.
I would just like to say that not all of us are an issue down there, not all of us are a problem. The problem that I'm having is when you want to go open Holiday Drive and you say pets are welcome, what are you gonna do with people that are allergic to pets?
What are you gonna do with people that have problems with other people if you put them all in the same room? You're gonna have nothing but more problems. Constantly, y'all are sending more people down there that are coming from the jail or other places.
We just got two new people down there yesterday. We said, "Where'd you come from?" They said, "ACRJ." Y'all are constantly sending more and more and more people down there, then you're causing a bigger problem.
Not all of us down there are bad, not all of us down there don't want services or are useful. We're not down there because we choose to be down there, we're down there because we have to be down there.
Not everybody has a support system. Not everybody has a backup plan. Mm-hmm. Me myself do not have any other support systems. My parents are deceased. I am a convicted felon also, but I have also changed my whole life around.
People can change, and a lot of people do want the services, but what you're going to have to regulate is who is really homeless down there, who really wants the help. Not everybody down there is homeless, and I would be the first one to say that.
A lot of people use it as a scene façade to be down there. They don't clean up their mess. I'm one to speak. But we do have a lot of people that come down there and run. We do have a lot of children that come down there.
We're very friendly. We do speak to everybody. We have had some politeness. We have had a lot of negativity since the news has been down there. A lot. We have gotten bashed. We've gotten threatened. We've gotten cars to honk horns.
They didn't start till the news crew came down there and only posted what they wanted to post. People keep saying, "Oh, they get this. They get this." Really, we don't get it. We have to advocate for ourselves and get what we want.
If you all open up doors for Region 10 to accept new people, instead of being pushed away, people that have mental health issues that can get medication, then things would probably be a lot better. Give us outreach teams, give us support systems, give us somebody that we can navigate ourselves to go to instead of keep getting turned around.
The Haven helps who they want to help. They do not help everybody. Region 10 constantly turns people away that have mental health issues. We cannot help that we have mental health issues. A lot of people cannot get their meds because they don't know which way to go to get their medication.
A lot of people down there need the help. It's just, where do we start? You all can't give us the proper education and proper steps to take to where we need to access the help. We need more people to show us the direction to go to, instead of getting shrugged and our backs turned, too.
We also have kids. We understand where people are coming from. We respect that, but not everybody down there is disrespectful, harmful, or neglectful. We're tired of getting bashed. We're tired of getting harassed.
We're tired of being posted on internet, social media. It's got to stop. And if it doesn't stop now, then it's going to get out of hand, it's going to get really hectic and chaotic. Yes. Thank you. Rozia Parker.
Good evening. This is Rozia Parker. 1960 started the plan of dismantling black Charlottesville. The city held a referendum, approved the redevelopment plan of demolishing Vinegar Hill in 1965. A predominantly Black neighborhood, as you are still doing the same in 2026, dismantling and displacing core Black neighborhoods by allowing developers to come in and create luxury student housing.
Luxury student housing for non-residents overriding these neighborhoods in which Black and brown families that are low income and unhoused individuals to live in. Charlottesville is ranked number three in the US luxury living.
Standard minimum wage is $12.77. Experience and occupations play a big role. Certain jobs can ranges from 15 to $19 an hour, entry level and hourly jobs. You need 24.35 per hour as a single individual making $50,650 annually to cover housing, transportation, and food.
55,000 and a roommate to live comfortably. 70,000 to 80,000 must be earned to be able to enjoy downtown residence and amenities. Starts off. It starts off at 16,000 to $18,000 for one bedroom to own in Charlottesville, or to rent in Charlottesville.
It's very expensive. 125,000 to 135,000 to own condos, 22,500 to 350,000 for townhomes, 350,000 for older ranch-style homes, 535,000 plus for newer homes. There is nothing that benefits the community.
The development code has destroyed Charlottesville by allowing these student housings to come up within a half a mile of UVA, asking them to pay in CAHF payment in a lieu, one lump sum, without community engagement or community benefit agreements.
People's property taxes go up and can't afford their homes anymore. 2023 was not a good year for anyone. People who was poor, not wealthy, common people, wasn't a factor. Unhoused moved from Market Street Park to the streets.
Three years later, here we are again in the same boat. Where else will they go? Plans have been being discussed for years. Using the money to renovate the jail should have been used for the unhoused. Understanding that- ...
not living like that was a big, beautiful bill. So now it takes us 8,500 to 20,000 to provide for the unhoused people. We understand that taxpayers' money is built in this, but do what the taxpayers are asking for.
We're asking for you to house them, put them in a place that they won't have to be dehumanized- Please, I can't- Where they won't have to be dehumanized and have respect. That they need to be in a home, and they won't have to worry about being out here in these streets- Thank you ...
and don't have to worry about it. Thank you. The next speaker is Anna Malinowski. Please. The next speaker is Anna Malinowski? Okay. And then Frank Betcher. I'm gonna cede my time to Boston, right? Yes.
My name is Christopher Kenneth Scott Hall. I have been homeless and displaced for a number of years. I spoke last time at a number of these meetings. I recently have been drifting for two months. I went up to Boston to ask for help from a nonprofit that's expanding in other commonwealths.
They told me they needed to hear this from the city It's a drop-in center that has work programs, and they've expanded into Pennsylvania. They're known as St. Francis House, and they are expanding into other states and commonwealths in this country.
And they would help, but I can't do it. They have to hear the call from the city. They need you to reach out. I'm a lone voice. Mm-hmm. I argue for common sense. I thought there was enough of it on both sides.
And I've seen this before in my home state, massive displacement, massive poverty, massive crime, massive cost increase. I'm a neurodivergent of the lost generation of the '90s, the problem children who were misdiagnosed.
I'm autistic, and I was lost through the cracks of the system. Mm. But my caregiver died a year ago. I'm a drifter, and I had support, and I have that no longer. I speak up because I always had someone to speak up for me.
Thank you. Thank you. And then- Frank. Okay. Ooh, I don't get that 1:45 back, don't I? Go ahead. You have a minute and a half. All right. Okay, so I had a lot to say, but what I will say is that the September 1st deadline is totally arbitrary.
Yeah. There's absolutely no reason I can see to kick people out by then, because if it's a problem about climate change, climate change is year-round, right? There's ice storms, there's flooding, there's hurricanes.
So I think that that has been instated because city council has been influenced too much about what they're seeing on Reddit. Yeah. And Reddit likes to show up when they remember that the city exists.
But you don't need to listen to Reddit. You can listen to the hundreds of people in here who want to see actual, meaningful change- Why don't you come down here? ... in this city. You have a $5 million surplus this year.
I have no clue why that money is not being put to immediately address this issue. Right. And the last thing I want to say is that this fascist administration is coming specifically for homeless people and people with substance use disorder.
Yeah. Stephen Miller made a speech four days ago where he talked about those people being the bane of his existence, and it makes me think of the quote, "First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out because I was not a socialist.
Then they came for the immigrants, those with substance issues, and the unhoused, and I did not speak out because I was not any of those things. Then they came for me, and there was no one left to speak for me." Wow.
Thank you. Frank Bechter. Okay. The next speaker is Frank. Yeah! Thank you, Council. My name's Frank Bechter. Charlottesville's rich and diverse culture and form will be celebrated, and the entire community will feel welcomed, valued, and respected.
The city will protect, celebrate, and enhance the people and places that have added to the uniqueness and cultural diversity of the community. That's the city's comprehensive plan, page 21. But on June 24th, the Jefferson School, descendants of Vinegar Hill, and the neighborhoods of Fifeville, West Haven, and elsewhere didn't feel anyone had been valuing them or respecting them.
They didn't feel protected or celebrated. Instead of actively and meaningfully seeking community input, I quote again from page 21, "Such community input has been zoned entirely away by city council." On page 27, "The built form of the city will allow additional housing types at a scale that is familiar to the city's neighborhoods." I repeat, "At a scale that is familiar to the city's neighborhoods.
Neighborhoods and communities that have experienced previous displacement and those at risk of related future impacts will be supported and protected." But none of that could matter in early May, a month before the Jefferson School meeting, because you needed to overturn your Board of Architectural Review, and you had to find a way.
Mr. Snook, one could see you laboring to find a way. It's as if you enlisted yourself as the developer's attorney. You may as well have been reading directly from their playbook. Here's the thesis that, one, value the bricks and windows and doors of those two tiny workers' cottage, which city council and the city haven't given a fig about in 30 years, as if as they've sat there boarded up, above all else.
Value the structure of those cottages above all else. Don't concern yourself with the historical value as workers' cottages, their cultural value as workers' cottages in a working-class neighborhood. Don't concern yourself with the promises and assurances of the comprehensive plan, and don't even think about the neighborhood and its lower-income households that will be displaced.
Two, believe that these bricks are in imminent risk of collapse, which is poppycock and was never mentioned in the developer's applications. Three, believe it will take huge forbidding sums of money to rehabilitate them.
And four, that only this billion-dollar private equity-funded developer can possibly save them, and only by building a gargantuan luxury housing complex that is clearly incompatible with them, as all your experts said.
So precisely what is incompatible must be embraced. I think it's pretty clear you all told us that if this project doesn't go through, it's only a matter of time before those buildings fall apart. But Council, you were lied to.
And I say this especially for the city attorney to hear. A lie is when you say something with the deliberate intention of deceiving for your own gain. That's what the attorneys did. Landmark proposes to rehabilitate these structures at an estimated cost of about $2 million.
How do I know that's a lie? Because the developer himself told me when we walked the neighborhood in early June. "That includes the price of purchase," he said. Thank you, Frank. You can share your other comments.
Okay, so we now- We now have the opportunity for eight people to speak that did not register. Reverend Long? Good evening. Good evening to the mayor, vice mayor, members of council, and my fellow Charlottesville neighborhood.
My name is Reverend Dr. Arthur S. Long Jr., pastor of the historic First Baptist Church. I come tonight not simply to oppose the development, but I come because I believe we are called to defend something far more valuable than bricks, concrete, profit margins.
We're called to defend public trust. There's an old saying that sunlight is the best disinfectant. Democracy can't survive in the shadows. Decisions that reshape neighborhoods should never be made in ways that leave people most affected feeling unheard, uninformed, or overlooked.
The issue before us is larger than one building. It is about whether development happens with the community or to the community. Charlottesville has lived through enough history to know what happens when powerful interests decide what is best for neighborhoods without first listening to the people who are called those neighborhoods home.
We know that urban renewal once promised progress while displacing Black families and destroying thriving neighborhoods. We know that development without justice too often becomes displacement disguised as opportunity.
Martin Luther King Jr. said it best. He reminds us that true peace is not merely the absence of tension, but is the presence of justice. Justice demands participation. Justice demands transparency. Justice demands that residents have meaningful seats at the table before decisions are made, not after contracts have been signed and bulldozers have been scheduled.
It is best reminded that justice is what love looks like in public. If we truly love Charlottesville, then our public policy ought to reflect that love. That means asking difficult questions. Who benefits?
Who bears the burden? Who had a voice? Who was left out the room? Those questions matter because zoning is not merely about land. Zoning is about values. It determines who belongs, who profits, and what kind of city we leave for future generations.
If this project is being approved as luxury student housing, then it's supposed to and should remain exactly that. And I respectfully urge City Council to examine whether stronger zoning practices and protections are necessary so that if the property is ever sold, it is approved, and what has been approved for simply can't be transformed or transferred into something else entirely different or returned to the people for public review.
Developers should not receive a permanent blank check. Community approval should not expire the moment construction begins, and if a proposal gains approval because it promises luxury student housing, then that commitment should remain attached to the property itself, not merely to the company currently developing it.
Otherwise- Thank you ... today's promises becomes tomorrow loopholes. Thank you. I urge you to look at the zoning plan and take consideration for your actions. Thank you. An annotated bibliography. My name is Laura Goldblatt, and thank you for giving me the opportunity to speak.
I'd like to address the effect of luxury student housing developments upon surrounding neighborhoods. The scholarly literature on student housing is relatively sparse, but I recently reviewed 13 scholarly articles examining the effects of student housing on students in local communities.
You have that annotated bibliography. The overwhelming consensus is that the introduction of student housing into residential neighborhoods drives up prices in a process the author refers to as studentification.
I could not find a single article that did not reach this conclusion. You can see all those sources. Relatedly, several of the articles either measure displacement following the introduction of private market student housing developments or projected effects.
These articles consistently find that student housing development causes displacement, or their models predict that they will cause displacement of current residents as costs rise. I also reviewed several articles on luxury housing development in particular, especially the essay cited in an Atlantic article that I know has been making the rounds recently.
The article in question looked at a luxury housing development in Honolulu and found that this building did increase upward mobility for residents, and this is the key point, at 100% AMI and above. The study authors said they found no upward mobility for residents in low-income neighborhoods, and the study authors note that their study is small and caution that it should not be generalized.
So in addition, an excellent study by Georgetown Law's Center for Poverty and Inequality of six urban areas found that luxury housing increased displacement and gentrification in every single city they examined.
In fact, they found that luxury housing decreased the housing supply for those making 50% or lower AMI. Their findings contest the narrative of trickle-down housing in that they comprehensively show that increased housing supply does not trickle down to extremely low-income groups.
Instead, those groups need housing specifically developed for them to mitigate displacement. Then I just want to say for student housing, UVA has the ability to admit a larger class anytime it wants to increase tuition revenues, which it always does.
This means that while some students currently living in 10th and Page, for instance, might move into new luxury units, they very likely will be replaced by students who will need to find housing on the private market.
And then there's the question of policing. Every source I consulted found that luxury assets increase policing on the surrounding community, especially for non-violent crimes such as playing loud music, loitering, and public intoxication.
Indeed, several studies note that real estate development itself seems to drive policing. Of course, we should note that these activities, loud music, loitering, and public intoxication, are ones that college students regularly engage in, but only a small demographic is criminalized for them.
My last question is when this happens to 10th and Page, Fifeville, Rose Hill, and West Haven because of the projects that have been approved by this body, who will be held responsible? And why have you not been listening to the brave residents who have been standing up to speak back and use their lived experience as evidence?
Anyone in the center that wants to speak? My name is Brandon Tyson. I'm representing a member of First Baptist Church, and I'm hoping that Landmark Properties is listening to this because what I want to say today is basically, I know y'all are representing out of Athens, Georgia, and that personally I know that y'all are a guest in the city of Charlottesville.
When I'm a guest in somebody's house, I don't do something like I don't just throw my stuff around. I ask before coming in. I know y'all asked the somewhat mayor of this city to use the certificate of appropriateness, which I find to be BS in this situation.
But even with that, what y'all should have did was at the very least have the common decency to ask Fifeville when you knew about this project. At the very least, got some people together and said, "Look, we have an idea of something going down with the project." Get some members and say, "This is what's going down.
What's your input?" Yes, sir. There's a great chance you'd probably still get a no, but at least they would've known about it. And then plain and simple, my thing is this, and I hope you're still listening.
If the roles were reversed and I'm the millionaire, and knowing that in Athens, Georgia, if I build the highest, biggest building around Athens, Georgia, their biggest botanical garden or the Georgia Field, something that they love, how would they feel?
How would their fans feel if I blocked whatever they love? They'd be p****d. They'd be really p****d. And they'd be looking to be upset, writing these kind of things that they'd be upset about. So no, personally, I'm not down for this project.
I'm all for having student housing and all that, but it's got to fit. Mm-hmm. Talk to Fifeville and get their input. Personally, there was ways that you could've worked out a deal and said, "Fifeville, we have this project.
Can you help us with building laundromats- Mm-hmm ... daycares?" Put the money in which we're building something for a long-term gain. Yes, sir. And they're not doing that. Yes, sir. And unfortunately, that also falls on y'all.
Because again, you're supposed to be working with us, and you're not doing it. Thank you. I'm sorry. Anyone over here like to speak? Good afternoon, brothers and sisters of all colors, shapes, and sizes.
Good afternoon. How y'all doing this morning, this evening? Mm-hmm. I started Tent City. It was me. And I protested. And now I want to start a whole another thing. I think there's some property available, Zero Garland.
Even got some property down in Pantops, about 50 acres. I want to say it was an insurance company or something, State Farm, right on the river. Beautiful property, too. We are right in a point where I've warned you about.
Three years ago, when we set up that Tent City, we are right here. And I don't know how to get it through. I talk and talk. I just came from feeding the homeless people. I still smell like barbecue chicken.
My hands are sweaty. I'm leaving prints on here. I work hard, and I don't have nothing myself. You understand what I'm saying? Not only do I work hard, but I know so much. I know so many solutions. I really don't even want to be here.
I was going to get on the bus, but then a homeless person said, "Roscoe, please go talk to them. You the only one out here really working." Mind you, look at all these beautiful women. Look at all these handsome brothers.
You think I want to be in here sweaty, talking? No. But I do want results. I have results. And I don't want nobody to call me from out of my busy moment to tell me to come up with something new and then tell me that I can't get a grant because I haven't been in business long enough.
You understand how that feels? To not only take that time out of your life, but then to be so disappointed. What about that rich homeless man who just fell in love with the wrong woman? What about the woman, the cat lady, who lost her mind, lost her ranch, and then died in jail?
What about the people that freeze to death? I wake up to these people, man. I find these bodies. Mm-hmm. This is my life. These are beautiful people. But most of them not sleeping on no concrete. Say that.
Mm-hmm. Yeah. I talk to the homeless people. It's people with skills. Mm-hmm. They can build their own tiny community. Thank you. Thank you, Roscoe. Yeah. Don. Thank you. Good evening. Don Gather, city resident and proud member of First Baptist Church.
I will be brief this evening, because I didn't prepare anything, and also because some of you all have shown an innate inability to listen to the citizens anyway. Yeah. So, what I will say is this. At the June 24th meeting, the developers and the lawyers specifically said, on numerous occasions, that they would rent these properties to anyone who could afford them.
Oh. That's right. They made that statement. That in and of itself should remove the cover of luxury student housing. There you go. They owe us 10% of those units that they're putting in- Mm-hmm ... based on what they said at that meeting.
And that's not a way of selling our soul to the devil that be. That's a way of inflicting some pain and some hurt on them, just as they're doing to the Fifeville neighborhood. Yes. So I encourage, and I urge you all to at least demand 70 units, 70 beds, of this property.
That's the very least that they could do. Yes. But they should do much more. You all should demand much more. Mm-hmm. Yes. The citizens are requesting you to demand much more. They wouldn't pay you. Mm-hmm.
Right. The public also deserves to know what specifically the plans are for the $7 million- Yes ... that the federal government has funneled down to the city to issue and attack the issues of homelessness.
It was for the unhoused and homeless. We deserve to know what specifically you all have planned and earmarked for those funds. But at the very least, again, and I implore you every time I come here, listen to the people that elected you.
Mm-hmm. Listen to the people that put you in office. Listen to the people that are now paying for the raises that you all just so generously got. Mm-hmm. Thank you. Thank you. Anyone over here like to speak?
Hello, I'm Drew. I'm a Charlottesville resident, healthcare worker, and harm reduction volunteer who recreates at Darden Towe Park twice a week. I am here to oppose the city council's decision to displace the residents of the Free Bridge encampment.
Our neighbors are not being provided with basic services for their dignity or safety, and are being punished for the safety emergencies that this has caused. Our neighbors want to clean up after themselves.
They do not want to use the restroom in the park. They do not want to live in cramped conditions. This is not their fault, but a failing within our city's leadership. You provided no interim measures- Yeah ...
that can improve public safety, environmental impact, or our neighbors' dignity. Water, porta potties, ice, sharps containers, and trash cans could make a world of difference for our safety as well as theirs.
This is abrupt and unilateral. The city of Charlottesville has long prioritized development for the benefit of transient students over the sustainability of our city's aging infrastructure, housing affordability, and long-term residents' wellbeing.
This is a natural consequence of your policy decisions. It's natural for recreators to be uncomfortable with an encampment on public lands. They're uncomfortable with watching their fellow man be deprived of dignity.
The solution is not to make our most vulnerable neighbors go away, as this only puts their suffering out of sight. The solution is to provide them with tools to alleviate the suffering. The transition you are proposing is abrupt, poorly planned, and done without the community's input or consent.
Yeah. The congregate housing you have proposed cannot accommodate half of the residents of Free Bridge, let alone the other displaced people in the city. Yes. These also have barriers that separate families, require sobriety, and take people's belongings.
The services you claim will provide are too little and too late. Transitions like this take time and collaboration. The unhoused are my friends and my neighbors. I will not allow you to carry out acts of extreme cruelty in my name as a recreator and Charlottesville resident.
Yeah. As a community, we are only as good as how we treat our most vulnerable. What you are doing will kill our neighbors. I have come here to tell you that I love my neighbors, and I will not allow you to do this to them.
Well said. Thank you. Thank you. Diana, would you like to speak next? Ms. Bryant? Ms. Bryant? She doesn't know if she's registered. Okay. Jessica, you're next. Okay? Can I speak after? Um- I want to say my name right.
I'd say yes. Yeah. We'll have to see. I don't know what the count is. We have- I signed up, but it didn't go through. So did I. Okay. Well, we'll have opportunity at the end. So we're almost done. Ms.
Bryant. Good evening, council. I have a couple of things I wanna say, but I wanna start by saying, anyone who's here to stand in solidarity with Black residents who have been speaking out about the unhinged development, please stand.
I always do this because- Okay Please. Okay, we can't hear a comment I always ask this because at the beginning, we heard a comment that there are these activists, and that little sentence is used so often.
It's just activists who are speaking out. It's just activists who care about this. The general population just wants to see good development. We just need more housing. A lot of them subscribe to some of the councilors who believe that trickle-down housing is the way to go.
In fact, I actually spoke to one of our councilors at that June 24th meeting, and she's convinced that if we have more housing, more luxury student housing, more housing of all types, that students will have more places to go.
But the point that I made to her was that actually, the more we allow developers to come in and have free reign over our city, we signal to the university that they can continue to enroll more people.
They continue to accept large donations that require more capacity, thus more units that are luxury and fits the demographics of the students that they want to enroll. Mm. And so it's very disheartening to sit in a room of 140 plus people, again, to the point about there's a small group of activists who feel this way.
Mm. There's been meeting after meeting since that meeting and even before. The Neighborhood Association of 10th and Page, myself included, has sat at the table with developers time after time and expressed what we need to see.
We've had discussions about CBAs. We've had discussions about what these people can offer to the neighborhood. But the unfortunate part about all of this is that by right, they have so much ability, so much capacity to do whatever they want to do simply because council did not do a good job with the zoning code.
Yeah. And now, instead of us being proactive, we're being reactive. How can we be reactive to developers who can come through, make their proposals, and you guys will overturn the BAR's decision just so freely, and not all of you will have the courage to even stand up to your community and face them eye to eye and tell them why you did it?
Oh, yeah. Yes. So again, I'm speaking, I probably should have said this earlier, in my personal capacity because I'm sure someone will want to slap me on the wrist for this. But let me just say this, that the community is speaking.
Again, I'll ask you all to stand if you stand in solidarity with Black residents who are asking for responsible- Yeah. Woo ... development. Woo. Thank you. I think that's all you need to see. Thank you.
Thank you. Jessica, you will be our last speaker for right now. My name is Jessica Jackson. Mayor Wade, Vice Mayor Altron, and Councilor Snook, you justified your decision to allow the building of student housing by saying Charlottesville needs more housing.
I believe that is not correct. What Charlottesville needs is more affordable housing. Thank you. Yeah. According to a news report on January 15, Charlottesville has the least affordable housing in Virginia, 33.7% of Charlottesville residents rent.
That means one-third of the people in Charlottesville rent. And what is even more disheartening and demands more attention is about 46.9% of those renters are cost burdened. That means they cannot afford the rent and take care of their families.
And we have had a homeless population ranging from 320 to 700 people. Jesus. So 33% of people in Charlottesville rent. Almost 50% of those people cannot afford the rent, and there are anywhere from 320 to 700 people who have no place to live.
You knew that, or you should have known, but still decided what Charlottesville needs is luxury apartments for students- Mm ... who are just guests in our town. Mm. Guests You don't even need those statistics that I gave you to understand that the Mark was a bad decision.
All you had to do was go out and talk to the community members. That's all. Mm-hmm. I substitute for Charlottesville Schools. I saw a fourth grader in the lunchroom not eating her lunch. She had a wonderful lunch in a carryout tray.
So I asked her if she was hungry. She said no. However, her friend sitting next to her said she gets that item every day and takes it home to her mother. Mm. Wow. When parents can't buy food for their children, and students don't eat lunch so that they can help feed their families, then I really can't understand how luxury apartments for transitional college students takes care of our community.
Mm. I believe you have the power to do something, and I think you should really, really work hard and decide what you can do about those luxury apartments. I know the lawyer said that it cannot be reversed, but all lawyers and politicians know that you can do that.
Thank you. That was the last speaker. Okay. So that was the last speaker at this time. We will, at this time- Transition to the consent agenda. But before we do that, we're going to get a comprehensive update on our efforts with the encampment and unhoused.
Mr. Roland, can you give that statement now? Or Sam, were you doing it? Oh. Good evening, Mayor- Good evening ... councilors, and members of the public. I stand to just give a few updates of what has been done and what will be done in terms of the recent past and the near future.
As you know, the city has recently publicly announced its intention to transition people out of the encampments at Free Bridge and Zero East High. Can you say-- Can you speak louder? We can't hear him.
Okay. Sorry. Yeah. Raymond, it's okay if you give us a little bit more volume, please. Thank you. Is that better? Yes. Awesome. I think it's important to note that we continue to build relationships and partnerships to achieve the transition at task.
I have- Please. I think it's also important to note that the organized updates that I have is basically in two categories: operationally and logistical coordination. So first, I'd like to update that the Department of Human Services, the director, Misty Graves, is a staff liaison to the Public Spaces Work Group and has attended meetings that heavily focused on the encampment.
She's attended meetings on June 10th, July 8th, and the next meeting will be on July 22nd. This group includes members who are currently staying in the encampment, service providers, the Rivanna Trails Foundation, and the Rivanna Conservation Alliance.
On Friday the 17th, city staff from the Department of Human Services visited both encampments to provide the occupants notifications of the upcoming closure, as well as the upcoming needs assessment happening over the next few weeks.
We just can't hear. Director Graves and Council Flesher has also been providing coordination support for the assessment and PIT team, PIT count, Point-In-Time count team, who will facilitate both the needs assessment and the count for people staying in the encampment and beyond.
PACHM staff and clinical staff from UVA Medical Center leading this effort. The intent is to learn about each individual's current needs and begin gathering information helpful to prioritize and organize transition plans.
Director Graves' staff has also been assigned to the team as assessors and scribes. This will take place beginning today, throughout likely July 31st. After the assessment period, the data will then be used to try to begin aligning needs with available resources and connection to services.
We also have an internal city camp transition team, which is made up of city departments to help provide consultation, planning, and resource allocation to support this encampment transition effort, which meets on a weekly basis.
Our next meeting will be Wednesday. The city has also taken the lead in researching and identifying viable, available options to open the Holiday Drive location as an emergency shelter. This includes locating a viable source to manage an emergency shelter, which includes producing an operational plan that would address and inform how that work will be done.
We will continue to collaborate with providers and donor-funded opportunities as we consider all available options. In terms of cleanup, our goal is and will continue to be restoring the space to its original intended use.
As a result, we are not waiting to September 1st to begin. Parks and Rec staff will continue to monitor and support hand washing stations, portable toilets, and dumpsters available at Zero East High, as well as making daily drives through the Free Bridge site to pick up bagged trash and distribute trash bags to the encampment occupants.
We anticipate a larger professional cleanup to be organized to clean up larger items and debris, like abandoned and broken tents and other discarded items. This effort is designed to continue at certain intervals through the transition period between now and September 1st, as well as after September 1st, where a more comprehensive cleanup will occur.
In terms of safety and security, CPD and CFD has partnered to expand safety patrols to serve the riverfront, which began this past Friday. Dedicated staff from both CFD and CPD will be specifically assigned to the riverfront to ensure high level of safety is achieved.
Without going into too many operational details, the presence of our public safety team members is to ensure that the safety of the encampment occupants are intact, as well as people visiting the area where the encampments are located.
CPD and CFD will maintain presence through physical and technological means deemed most effective by Chief Kochis and Chief Thomas. Staff will seek to mitigate opportunities of illegal behavior, illegal actions, as well as life safety issues such as open fires and use of equipment that further endanger life and property.
Finally, I'll wrap up this update with our continuing intent to convey and communicate updates to the community by keeping everyone informed regarding the encampment situation and holiday drive updates.
The mayor recently asked about an informational brochure that answers a few basic frequently asked questions. That brochure has been developed, which I mistakenly left at my space over here. But that brochure has been developed and is available to our community.
It also includes a QR code that links MyCville for additional information and resources. And that concludes my update. Thank you very much. The next item on the agenda is the consent agenda. Madam Clerk, we'll have opportunity for additional public comments at the end of the meeting.
The agenda's not too big, but if you'd like to stick around, you can. We have some great items on the agenda. Hey Sam, are these for- That one- For you. There's five for each of you, just as a sample.
Oh. And we'll get more. We should pass out bags. We're going to get more. Madam Clerk ... for you to use in conversations. Consent agenda, number two. Just speak loud. Minutes March 16th, April 6, April 20 regular meetings, July 8th work session.
Number three, resolution- Please speak quietly if you can. Thank you Number three, resolution allocating $575,000 in housing operations and support, FY27 grant funding, second reading. Four, resolution for approval of addendum to lease with the Botanical Garden of the Piedmont, second reading.
Five, resolution appropriating funds for the Virginia Department of Education Special Nutrition Program, Summer Food Service program, $40,000, one of two readings. Six, resolution considering a special exception permit for 1138 Rose Hill Drive.
Seven, an ordinance amending and reenacting Chapter 2, Article 15 of the code of the City of Charlottesville, the Charlottesville Human Rights Ordinance, one of two readings. Number eight, by motion, adoption of a new ordinance correcting two scrivener's errors in the original ordinance, vacating and quitclaiming Clark Court to the Jefferson Scholars Foundation.
Nine, resolution allocating Charlottesville Albemarle Housing Fund Grant program funding for Charlottesville Redevelopment and Housing Authority South First Street, phase two in the amount of $425,000, one of two readings.
Is there a motion to approve the consent agenda? So moved. Second. Sorry. And before we vote, we'll just quickly highlight just one of the items with the HOPPS grants. There's over $250,000 of investment specifically for existing programs that we support related to homelessness in Charlottesville.
That's a very small piece of all the investments we make. I just highlight that because those are some of the things that are already ongoing that the city already supports, if anyone is interested in investigating some of what those things are.
Thank you. Yeah. If there's no other comment, we can vote. Is everyone prepared to vote electronically? Mm-hmm. Lloyd, you can let us know your vote, and Kena will register it. He's muted. Did he say yes?
He's muted. Did you say yes, Lloyd? Votes yes. Okay. Okay. The motion for the consent agenda passes five to zero. The next item on the agenda is the city manager's report. Good evening, Mayor, Council, members of the public.
The report that you received just a minute ago from Assistant City Manager Roman was a part of the report. I just want to thank him for making sure that we gave details in regards to the work that's going on.
I'll just add that this is a difficult and challenging issue. It is one that faces many communities around the country. No one has figured it out. We're having to come up with our version for what applies here in Charlottesville.
Our commitment is that we will continue to dig into what are the issues and try to work our best around making sure that compassion is a part of the consideration as we work to make sure that we're looking out for everyone in this community, regardless of their housing status.
In addition to that, I just want to reinforce the notion for the public that there has been a drought declaration declared for this region that is intended to increase public awareness for conservation.
It is all of our responsibility to make sure that we think about drinking water, which is essential. That water is declining in stream and reservoir water levels. It is not a point in time for us to be extremely alarmed.
However, if the continued absence of significant rain in this area continues and high temps, then we are going to have to do even more. So I'm asking that everyone really, really consider looking for ways to voluntarily conserve through measures that you identify for yourselves, including watering trees, shrubs, grass, and lawn at night, and making sure that the basic things that we normally do where we tend to leave the water running, like my wife does, to turn that off and make sure that we deal with those situations more appropriately.
So just adding that as an additional piece. That is all that I have for the report as we have a robust meeting agenda since we were not able to have a meeting earlier this month Thank you. The first action item is a public hearing resolution to authorize the issuance of and sale of general obligation public improvement bonds with the City of Charlottesville in aggregate principal amount not to exceed $29 million to finance the sale in general obligation bonds for the City of Charlottesville, Virginia, in aggregate principal not to exceed 25 million, providing for the form, details of the payments such as bond, and providing for the refunding of certain outstanding general obligation bonds of the city.
And this is the first reading. Chrissy Hamill will give background on this. Good evening, Council. Chrissy Hamill, budget director. As you noted, this is a resolution before you requesting permission or authorization to issue an amount of bonds not to exceed $29 million.
In addition, we are asking for the approval to issue, should the market be in our favor, to issue no more than $25 million worth of refunding bonds. As you know, part of our ongoing CIP plan includes funding those projects with cash and bonds.
So the projects that are slated to be funded with these bonds were projects that were previously approved in a five-year plan. In the memo, we detail for you the breakdown of how that works. Roughly $17.6 million of this bond issue will be for things in the general CIP, which includes transportation and access, public facilities, schools, public safety, parks and recreation, as well as affordable housing.
In addition, we'll be issuing about $9 million for our utility funds, water, wastewater, and storm water. We did meet with Moody's and S&P last week to review our bond rating. We expect to get that rating in the next two weeks or so.
We'll be reporting back to council. And these bonds will be sold by a competitive bond sale on or about August 18th. And with that, I'll be happy to answer any questions. Thank you. Before we open up the public hearing, I'll ask council if they have any questions or clarifications.
Jen, I'll start with you. Do... No, that's fine. Okay. Yeah. Lloyd? I have no questions. Thank you. Mm-hmm. Natalie? Just a procedural question for benefit of everyone listening. How often do we do a bond issue like this?
We are approximately on an every year schedule, or not approximately, we are on an every year schedule. We usually issue in the spring to early summer. This year we're issuing a little bit later in August.
Mm-hmm. And are they usually about this much? Yes. Most of the time when we issue bonds, we're issuing for projects that are already shovel-ready. And so it depends on what the projects are that are in the queue.
But generally, for the last few years, this is about a typical amount. Okay. Thank you so much. Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. Michael? Just to be able to provide more concrete information to the public, we're issuing bonds.
These are high level. Would you be able to speak to, in any specificity, some of the projects specifically around affordable housing or transportation and access that these bonds relate to? Just to help give the community a sense of what we're actually doing on the ground.
Yes. So I believe the affordable housing bonds relate to South First Street. Some of the transportation and access projects relate to some sidewalk new replacements. For schools, there are some projects that are some upfits for some of the priority projects that were identified by the school board.
And caught me off guard a little bit, so I'm trying to pull this up from memory. Those are the big ones that I can think of at the moment. Mm-hmm. And no, I apologize, but I think that's helpful to see things like their resident-led redevelopment and of new units at South First Street, updating existing units there, the sidewalk projects, updating things in our schools.
These are just tangible things that will impact people's lives. Correct. If there are no other questions, I will now open up the public hearing referring to this action item. Would anyone from the audience like to speak on this general obligation bond issue?
Anyone like to speak on this? I have just a very simple question. No, please come up, sir. My name is James Rogers. Ma'am, what is the city's current bond rating from each of the major agencies? AAA. Perfect.
Thank you. Appreciate it. Other questions or comments? So if there's no other, I will close the public hearing and bring this back to council. If there's no other questions, this is the first reading.
If there- It's just one reading ... Just one reading. I'm sorry. So, with that being said, if there's support for this, is there a motion to approve? I move approval. Second. Second. Okay. Can we initiate the vote?
Lloyd, what do you say? Yes. Okay. The motion passes five to zero. Thank you. The next item on the agenda is a public hearing and ordinance for 801 West Street. This is a zoning text amendment that is a designation of an individually protected property.
So first, I'm reading Kate Richardson will introduce. Kate. Tell her to go home. Yeah. She lives over in the valley. I said, "I live down the street. I'll take care of this one." Hopefully, this will be a good story- Yeah ...
tonight. Something that I've really been excited to share with you. But what's before you tonight, and Mr. Hunt is here, is a request that we received late last year from the property owner of 801 West Street, in the 10th and Page neighborhood.
We were contacted about establishing or designating the property as an individually protected property. And those are... Remy, you're out there, you can flick. And I had to throw that picture in. I hadn't used it, then I said I got to put it in of, that's Mr.
Hunt with his aunt, standing in front of the house. But so on behalf of Mr. Hunt, I'm here as staff, requesting you all approve a zoning map amendment and a zoning text amendment, which would designate 801 West Street as an individually protected property.
And you can see its location there. It's just a block off of Preston Avenue there at the corner of 8th and West Street. Remy, just locate the map. You can see there again, that northeast corner of 10th and Page.
Remy, you can flick it. A little bit about the house. This is the Patterson-Fleming House. It was constructed in 1905 by James Patterson. And during World War II, so it's interesting that Mr. Hunt's family acquired this during the war.
And James Fleming, there on the right, was a fireman with the railroad, and his wife, Maude, was a teacher at the Jefferson School for 40 years. And also, and I'll let Mr. Hunt share more of the family story, Mr.
Fleming's grandfather, Henry Martin, was the bell ringer that's so well known at the university, in the late part of the 19th century. And the property remains in the family's... Family still owns it.
Mr. Hunt is obviously Maude and James' grandson. And, so this is... Go ahead and flick it, Remy. So by ordinance, you all established that we can designate individual properties as individually protected properties.
This is a historic designation, and it allows us to designate historic buildings that lie outside of the historic districts that we have in the city. And we have currently 76 of those. There's a few of them that overlap within some of the ADC districts.
And I can tell you, I'm, as you know, very familiar with IPPs. Mine is one of the little dots there- ... in North Downtown. So this, if approved, would be number 77. And put it in the staff report, I didn't want to get too...
Unless you had some questions, we can talk about it. But the significance of this property, and of this house, and its relationship to the 10th and Page neighborhood, and telling the story of not only the Patterson family, but the Flemings, and their ownership of that property.
I think we don't have a lot of properties that are designated that recognize the history of the Black community in the city of Charlottesville, so this is... Just very pleased that Mr. Hunt approached us about this.
You can flick the... So just very quickly, it's again in the staff report, the designation, it's consistent with what's in the comprehensive plan. It's certainly consistent with what's in our code. The designation is an overlay, so it does not alter the underlying zoning of the property, nor does it impact the properties adjacent to it, because it's not a district, it's only the parcel is being designated and the house with it.
Something the planner shared with me that we have some goals for equity and inclusion, and that goal is advanced by extending the IPP protection onto this property, which is associated with 10th and Page and the African American history in that neighborhood.
And then finally, the nice part is this came from the property owner. This was their request, and we had a public meeting in Mr. Hunt's front yard in March, and a lot of the neighbors came out, and nothing but support from it.
And I even received an email earlier this evening, Preservation Piedmont, supporting this designation. So next slide. So back in January, the Board of Architectural Review evaluated the designation based on the criteria under 2.9.3 of the code, which gets at that historic character, the historic designation.
And then in May, the planning commission voted to recommend approval of the IPP designation, and that was applying the criteria that looks at the zoning map amendment and the zoning text amendment. So, with that, staff, we recommend that you all city council, by adoption of the resolution for a zoning map amendment and by adoption of a resolution for the zoning text amendment, approve the designation of 801 West Street as an individually protected property.
And I know, I think there has to be a second reading of this, so- Mm-hmm ... there's no action this evening. And then with that, I know Mr. Hunt is here, and I want to really let him share his story and why he approached us about protecting his house.
So do you all have any questions for me? We'll hear from Mr. Hunt, and then we'll bring it to council. Thank you. All right. Good evening. And thank you for considering my application. Mayor Wade, council members, thanks very much.
I'm Richard Hunt, and a little over 70 years ago, I was born here at the university. So that means I'm just turned 70, and this is getting close to my bedtime, so I won't keep you. But, I didn't know anything about an IPP until my property manager, Kevin Blair, who has been working with me for 10 years- ...
mentioned that he was working with the BAR on a project, and I said, "Well, what's an IPP?" And when I came to understand what it was, it pretty much read exactly what our home is. I got the sense that it was intended to protect and preserve and frankly, to honor properties like the ones that my grandparents invested in during the war.
My family has been in Charlottesville for many, many, many years. My great-great-grandfather was Henry Martin. My grandmother... Some of you may have grandparents or parents who were taught by Maude Fleming.
She taught for 35 years or so at Jefferson. Mm. And then when she retired, somehow they pulled her back- ... and she spent another five years as the librarian at what was then called Venable. Mm-hmm. And I am just proud to be part of this community, and to have this long lineage here.
But I'm also very proud of our neighborhood, and I would love, if you approve, to see this IPP designation honor the neighborhood and the contributions of our community, the teachers, the doctors, the laborers, the people who've been the fabric of Charlottesville all these years, including my uncles, who were displaced as part of the Vinegar Hill situation.
Their barbershop had to be relocated. Some of your relatives may have gotten their hair cut with my uncles. Nevertheless, it's a long time. The home, by the way, is terrific. Thanks to Kevin, thanks to a renovation that we did to make sure that the infrastructure was solid.
We have done foundational work. We have done plumbing work. The point is that the home is going to be here for many years, and after I'm gone, it'll be in the hands of my stepson and his lovely wife and their growing family.
And my intention is that as long as we can piece that thing together and prop it up, it'll be here to remind folks of what has been and what is to come. Thank you. Thank you, sir. Thank you. Thank you.
I'll bring this to council. Lloyd, do you have any comments? Questions? No comments, no questions. It seems appropriate. Yeah. Michael? And this is a public hearing, correct? Yes. We're hearing from- Okay ...
you know. Well, no, common wise, I'll say I'm fully in support of it. The question I have to staff is, there's obviously a rich tapestry of Black history in 10th and Page, in Fifeville, in Rose Hill, that historically the city has overlooked and not preserved and kind of viewed just as investment opportunities, where you compare the historic preservation that's occurred in areas around the University of Virginia or North Downtown or other areas.
But that history is still there, and it still matters of people who were civil rights leaders, community leaders, of not just local, but statewide and national significance. All of which is to say, if any neighborhoods are interested in expanding the amount of IPPs or pursuing a historic district that protects and uplifts more of that history, what does that process look like?
How should people begin thinking about it, or are there city staff they should reach out to? Unfortunately, I need more work to do. Like I need more work to do, but I would welcome inquiries about it.
Back in 2020, coming out of COVID, we did the historic survey, um Of the entire 10th and Page neighborhood, and even carried it across, Grady Avenue and going up towards Rosser there. And, it was the largest neighborhood survey the city's ever done.
It was about 450 properties. And, we had a big firm work on it with us, and it was the hole in the donut of all of the surveys that have been done in the city, this was one place that hadn't been done yet.
We'd done Star Hill. We did Rose Hill. We did Fifeville. The report from that, was reviewed by the Department of Historic Resources, and it was recommended as eligible for a historic district on the National Register and on the Virginia Landmarks Register.
The thing is that, those steps, there's two things could be done. There's the state and national designation, which is primarily the honorary. There's no regulations that come with it. And then there's the local designation, as we're doing with the individually protected property.
That's where, then, the Board of Architectural Review has purview. So that's where there's the, for example, Fifeville is on the National Register, but only a few properties in there are locally designated, such as the two houses on 7th Street that we've been talking about.
So I would encourage any people who are interested, and I think the sites are there. We've surveyed them. We certainly know where individuals lived. But it really has to come from the neighborhood. If it hadn't come from him, these things aren't going to occur, because they are accepting with the local designation, you're accepting that obligation to abide with the Board of Architectural Review.
At the same time, more than happy to entertain a National Register nomination for that district. I think it'd be really interesting. That, again, does not come with any regulation. It's not an inexpensive project to prepare a National Register nomination.
But I think it would be a wonderful thing for the city to consider. Mm-hmm. Thank you. And I 1,000% agree anything has to be bottom-up. It can't just be the city deciding- It's got to be ... "Oh, we're going to do this." Yeah.
But is there a best contact point, if there's anyone in the Fifeville Neighborhood Association, 10th and Page Neighborhood Association, Rose Hill Neighborhood Association, to reach out to begin that conversation?
The folks that are involved in, just back to Carmelita, the folks that are involved in the history of these communities, a lot of them know me, and I have a connection relationship. But yeah, when we completed the Rose Hill neighborhood survey, that was eligible.
That was back in 2019. But when we spoke to the neighborhood, there was a lot of pushback. Now, we did get out of that the designation of the Jack P. Burley High School on the National Register. There are small victories that can be had here, and I think anybody that's interested should contact me, wernerjb@chartersville.gov.
And Werner with an E. And then we have the Historic Resources Committee. We also have Preservation Piedmont in town. So we've got some folks that can be helpful if there's interest. Mm-hmm. That's it for me, and I don't proclaim to know- Thanks ...
the answer, but- I appreciate you asking ... it's just for individuals in neighborhoods to just be aware it's something available to discuss and consider. And so I don't know- Yeah ... I know you got a hearing, but what's the next step now?
No. We're not finished yet. Still have- That's what I was going to say. Yeah. Now- I've got questions. Okay. Hey, thanks. So can you talk a little bit about the benefits and the restrictions that come with having a property become an IPP?
So, I try to separate myself from speaking as the owner of a historic property and speak as staff. The one thing that we hope we accomplish with our historic preservation ordinance is that we're able to tap the brakes on demolitions.
Now, yes, there's folks who will say, "Well, the Board of Architectural Review gets to review this or that," and they do, but it's not an unreasonable process. But I said, "I very thorough discussion with Mr.
Hunt about, 'Okay, these are the things that will be going on.'" But, I think the benefits of it are that, my house has a story and it has value, and it means something. So, people want to be part of a story.
And so acknowledging that in some formal way, and then the city's ordinance promotes this. This is what the city wants to do with historic districts and historic properties. So, I think it's a good thing.
Yeah. And then, the restrictions that come from being an IPP? The only restrictions are that any demolition, exterior alterations, or any new construction, let's say Mr. Hunt wanted to build a house next to his, it would be subject to review by the Board of Architectural Review.
Anything you do on the inside is not in BAR purview. The use, the underlying zoning is not affected by, it doesn't The BAR doesn't evaluate the use. So it's an aesthetic regulation, and I think, again, the most important one is that if someone wanted to demolish that, as you've seen, we've dealt with a couple of appeals in the last year or two.
It's a means to hit the brakes, but everything that the BAR does is appealable to you all on city council. And you said it doesn't affect the zoning, so there still could be an accessory dwelling unit built in the backyard.
It doesn't restrict that land use space, basically. Yes. And then, are we allowed to ask questions to Mr. Hunt? Which- Sorry, there are people at home, so it does involve the microphone. Sorry. Thank you for sharing your story.
Did you spend time growing up or living in the house? Boy, did I. I was schooled in Philadelphia, but until then, and for every summer until, wow, until I graduated from college, I was at 801 West Street.
And I was running all over town with bikes, which you could do then, and I was hanging out with my cousins and my relatives, and I always tell people I had two hometowns. I had Charlottesville and I had Philadelphia, and that's a pretty good pair.
Yeah. Not bad. But you don't live there currently? Now I'm only here every couple of weekends, because I married the most wonderful woman in the world, and she lives in Durham. Got you. Okay. So I live with her.
Okay. Thank you. All right. Those are all my questions. Thank you. Appreciate it. Thank you. Anyone else? No. Not right now. Thank you, sir. I'll now open up the public hearing for this. Would anyone like to speak on this?
Can I speak now? Yeah. If it's referring to this- What? If it's referring to this- This item ... this item, yes. I'm sorry. I thought it was something else. Yes. Oh. Yes. Is it referring to this? Yes.
Okay. Thank you. I just want to highlight that Mr. Hunt indeed described the house being kept in... It's not an individually protected property right now, but he's kept that house up, and conceivably, that's something that we should indeed want of every IPP, and it would be a shame if they weren't kept up, and that became a rationale for requiring extraordinary means of preserving them.
Owners should keep them up. If not, they should be subject to some type of encouragement to keep them up. Thank you. Anyone else like to speak on this? If not, I will close the public hearing. Is there support for this to be on the consent agenda for the next meeting?
I think so. Yes. So, Madam Clerk, if you can put this on the consent agenda for the next meeting. The next item is a public hearing, an ordinance for, again, 801 West Street. It's a zoning map amendment designation for individually protected property.
So I think it's the- I'll go to the other mic ... Yes. Yes. Yeah. I'm Jeff Warner. I'm the preservation design planner for the city. Yes. I was hoping to cover it all under one staff report. But if you'd like to just talk about- Yeah ...
the other one, we can. Yeah. So- Right ... the other one was a zoning text amendment. Right. This is a zoning map amendment. So are there any additional questions on this from council? Yeah, small question.
You had mentioned you had done a survey of the neighborhood. Mm-hmm. How come this house wasn't selected initially? It was. Oh. As far as- But not as an IPP. I have a copy I can... It's on the list, yeah.
I can share the link, because our laser fiche is a little chaotic. But of the properties that were surveyed, this was one that was recommended eligible for the National Register as an individual property.
So that was very unique. So there's only a handful, but because of its age, it was recommended, but it is as individual property. So Mr. Hunt could pursue a National Register designation if he wished to.
But the entire district, and the idea is that the quilt is the sum of its parts. So, the preference for the Department of Historic Resources and the feds is to have an intact district, the accumulation of the whole.
So yes, the whole district was recommended. This would be a contributing property to that. But it was also recommended eligible individually. Sorry. Can the city determine things are IPPs on their own, or does it have to come from the owner towards the city?
My house is not on the National Register. It is not on the Virginia Landmarks Register. It came up short. But it is an IPP, therefore I can't knock it down. And I often tell people, Albemarle County does not have a historic preservation ordinance.
Monticello is on the National Register. It's on every register. It's known to man, but- The county could not deny a demolition permit for Monticello. There's no legal means to say, "No, we won't give you one." Whereas my house that isn't on, but because of that local designation, that's the break that we have.
So no, it is not required to be on the National Register, on the State Register. We do prefer that before we consider something that we've done the survey, we at least understand that property, and which we've done.
So can the city point at a property and say, "You are now an IPP" or does it have to come from the owner of that property asking the city to make the designation? You could. You actually could. The last situation we had was some houses on 12th and Rosser, but we had some difficulty with each of, there were six properties associated with C.H.
Brown, the homes and properties that he built. And when I talked to Ralph Brown, I said, "Well, what we need is I need those six property owners to unequivocally say, 'We want to be in a district.'" I said, "Otherwise, I can't take it to council." So I won't bring something to you unless if it's an individual property, if that person consents to it and wants to do it, yeah, we'll do it.
But if they're opposed to it, I couldn't in good faith bring it to you all. Okay, great. Thank you. Okay. So, no other questions from council. I will now open up the public hearing for this for the zoning map amendment.
Would anyone like to speak on this? If not, I will close the public hearing and bring this back at this council if there's no concerns, be on the consent agenda for the next council meeting. Yep. Okay.
All right. Thank you. Sounds good to me. All right. The next item on the agenda is a public hearing, an ordinance to update the Citizen Participation Plan, a component of the city's Community Development Block Grant and HOME Improvement Partnership Program and associated municipal code.
Mr. Warren. Good evening, Mayor Wade- Good evening ... Council, Ms. Thomas. My name's Anthony Warren. I'm with the city's Office of Budget Grants Management. Here tonight to seek your consideration of some modest updates to the Citizen Participation Plan.
By way of background, the Citizen Participation Plan is a requirement for participation in HUD-funded programs. The city benefits from HUD funding through a variety of different mechanisms, but for this purpose, the primary two programs are the Community Development Block Grant and the HOME Investment Partnerships programs.
Our goal in this work has been to maintain the city's commitment to active engagement in the work that we do and to expand opportunities for participation among all members of the community. The proposals that are made, and we can go into those in a little bit, but they are intended to expand opportunities to serve, and they build on what was last passed in 2016.
HUD recommends that the CPP is updated approximately every five years. There's no firm requirement. Ours was last updated in 2016, so this brings a lot of the language and reflects a lot of the changes in practice.
There's not really a significant underlying profound change. We're going to continue to do the work that we do. We're going to continue to try to bring activities before you that will make a meaningful contribution to life in Charlottesville.
So with that, next slide, please. All right. So basically, Citizen Participation Plan, it's not part of the five-year consolidated plan that HUD requires, but it is supportive of that. I would recommend that the city kind of adopt a five-year schedule for updating this, preferably one year ahead of the development of the next five-year plan, which will be occurring in the near future.
This has been publicly noticed. There's been a 30-day public comment period, and now we are engaging in the first of two public hearings for this item. Just a brief summary of some of the changes. A lot of the changes between these two documents, and when I say two documents, one is the actual plan itself that is submitted to HUD for approval, and the other is a section of the city's municipal code that is supportive of that, but is kind of the enacting legislation that drives some of these changes.
A lot of the changes were around language, bringing in more HUD language, trying to make the documents more accessible to the public, less explicitly technical in terms of language. So there are a number of different sections of the actual municipal code.
It traditionally has been referred to as the Community Development Block Grant program, so we added a new section to speak to the HOME program and the work that is done by our partners at the Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission.
We included new section 249-419 to talk about the actual plan itself. So if anybody from the community who's not aware of what the plan involves, they can go and kind of read a little bit more about what it does.
One of the biggest changes that we are proposing relates to the membership of the CDBG HOME Task Force. This is an all-volunteer group of people who come together periodically throughout the year to review requests for funding through these two programs and to formalize funding recommendations to council.
With council's approval of those recommendations, we then turn those into grant awards that then enable these groups to go out into the community and do a variety of different good works. It says that the task force, you're increasing the number of seats to representatives from public services groups from one to two.
Did you decrease a seat elsewhere, or did you just add overall? Thank you. No, that's a great question. So we're trying to maintain the representation at nine for a variety of reasons. Having boards have an odd number of members is good policy, because then there's less chance of a tie.
So what we have done, previously, certain seats were designated for specific neighborhoods. And a lot of feedback that we get from the community is that prevents people who want to become involved, because if that seat is filled for their neighborhood or they're not representative of the school board, planning commission, or what are called public services groups, traditionally nonprofits, then they don't have an opportunity to serve.
So what we've done is taken the five seats and made them citywide eligible with a preference for neighborhoods that are traditionally served by this program. And that has opened up the seat that was previously designated as an at-large seat to then be designated for these public service nonprofit organizations.
In just the three years that I've been here, we've had a number of people who've wanted to participate, but they don't live in one of the designated neighborhoods, and the public services nonprofit seat has already been filled.
And so that doesn't leave them an avenue to participate. Great. Thank you. Thank you. There was language previously about subcommittees. We kind of deprioritized that language because we really don't have technical subcommittees, but there is an ability for city council to designate people to serve on ad hoc special purpose subcommittees if they so choose.
And then clarified annual processes that are related to these programs in the interest of transparency. Some of these weren't included in what is the current plan, and we just want to make sure that they are there.
Specifically for when we propose new activities that HUD classifies as a substantial amendment, there's a 30-day public comment period. Under Section 2423, procedures for public hearings, just a little minor change to update a reference to Virginia state code.
And then there's a reserve section, which I don't know why that is, but it always has been there. Again, all of these are in substance meant to try to preserve the city's commitment to active engagement.
I invite anybody who is interested in any of the vacancies that we have on the task force to reach out. I can give you any of the information. I can put you in connection with some of the members who are on the task force, including one of our members who is here tonight on another matter.
And with that, I open myself to any questions you may have. Thank you. Is this a public hearing? Yes. Okay. Yes. But before we do that, we'll see if there are other questions from council. Jen, you have a question?
HUD is changing so drastically. Is there any HUD compliance deadlines right now driving this, or it just was- No ... time to do it? It was discretionary? There's no specific requirement. There is an expectation that they're done generally every five years.
Got it. So the fact that this is approximately a 10-year-old document, it doesn't reflect a lot of the recent changes, language terminology, those kind of things. So there's no specific requirement other than the fact that in about a year or so, we're going to be developing the next five-year plan, and we wanted to get this in place before, especially since council is asking for a streamlined timeline for putting the funding recommendations.
This will help us kind of consolidate that timeline a little bit. Understood. Okay. Roy, do you have anything? Just one thing. Mr. Morrin, I was thinking about your comment about eliminating provision for subcommittees.
There isn't anything that would prevent the CDBG committee from sort of picking a few people from the neighborhood they wanted to talk to a few more times, right? Correct. There's nothing to prevent that from happening.
I didn't say we were trying to remove that language, just trying to reduce the amount of space that it took, because the main point that I wanted to try to preserve was that council has the right to designate members from the community to ad special purpose subcommittees as you see fit.
And that was, from what I read, the main goal of that language. Okay. Thank you. Okay. Natalie? No questions from me. Thank you. Okay. Michael? No questions, just comment as you highlighted the importance of CDBG for anyone in the community watching is it's a pool of federal money that can go to neighborhoods that historically were disinvested in or the city didn't prioritize for investment.
And there are currently openings on the CDBG board with an application deadline of August 1st. So if anyone in the community is interested in getting involved in that work, those seats are open. Yeah.
I just had a question maybe for the public because we've talked just tonight alone about the various public hearings, and at 4:00 we talked about input for the transportation plans. And so is this plan different from that?
Like for this, since it's federal funds, it's certain things we have to do. Is this more or less comprehensive than what we would do for the transportation plan that we talked about earlier today? That's a really good question.
It's still designed to comply with all the elements of Virginia public meetings law. There are HUD-specific requirements. So if we're going to change a previously approved activity by giving a certain amount of money more or changing the scope, that would require a 15-day public comment period that's noticed in the daily news.
But if we're going to introduce a new activity, that would be a 30 day. So there are HUD-specific things that are not generally required of others. So I just said that as a city, we should try to be consistent as possible with these different plans.
Yes. So like we're doing this, the public may think we're doing one way, but instead... So we just want to be consistent as we possibly can as we go through the different plan, as we have these different sides- Agreed ...
so the public will know. And yes, we've tried to maintain consistency with all the other common practices. There's no HUD-specific requirement, for example, for two public hearings before city council.
Mm-hmm. We approach these public hearings with that two readings in mind because that's a longstanding city practice that we agree with. Okay. So we have one for resolution and one for ordinance. And it doesn't appear that we need a public hearing for the resolution if I'm- You're good in just a single public hearing on both items.
Okay. So I'm happy to read. Okay. We're ready for public- Do we do the public? No. If I could just add. Okay. Just following up on something that Councilor Payne said with the openings on the board, the new seats have not yet been designated, so the new proposal for those seats is not effective yet.
Right. If we pass this, that would then get updated. Yes. Great. Thanks. So before we go with the motion, I'll open up the public hearing, for the public participation process for the CDBG program. Would anyone like to speak on this?
If not, I will close the public hearing on this, and as we can- I would move approval of the resolution as presented in the agenda packet. And do we do them together or separately? We should vote separately.
Okay, thanks. Second? Okay. All in favor? Oh, wait. We can... Lloyd, what- I'm fine. Okay. I mean, yes. Yes. Yes. So I didn't get... Mine hasn't come up, but I support it. Okay. And so I would now move approval of the ordinance as presented in the agenda packet.
Second. Okay. All in, we'll vote. Lloyd, do you support it? Yes. Okay. Okay. I'm seem to have some problems, but I... Oh, here it is. I asked the mark who did the- Okay. All right ... motion and second.
Yep. Motion passes five, zero. Okay, great. The next item is a... Oh, we had a lot of public hearings, so you can tell we didn't meet at the beginning of the- Mm-hmm ... month. A public hearing for resolution for a right of way agreement executing the dedication of an easement to Dominion Energy.
Mr. Cooper will present. May I come up? Thank you. Good afternoon. Good evening, Mayor Wade, council members, City Manager Sanders. This agenda item of a public hearing and resolution for approval is associated with our Charlottesville Area Transit battery electric buses used for city transit and the need for installation of a charging equipment on city property located at 1545 Avon Street, which is the CAT Transit parking lot.
Accordingly, the fixed battery electric buses charges linked to Dominion Power or Dominion Energy power grid must be installed in the CAT Transit bus parking lot to ensure as-needed bus charging capability when not operational.
To install the charging equipment, Dominion Energy is in need of a 15 by 50-foot easement area to install a transformer and underground cables. Authorizing the approval of the attached agreement, in the packet, will allow a completion of the city installation for Dominion for the charge station.
Following the conducting the legal required public hearing, city staff recommends City Council approve the execution of the attached agreement, dedicating the requested easement on city-owned property to Dominion Energy as presented.
The department, I move for the adoption of the agreement resolution dedicating the Dominion Energy the requested easement on city-owned property. Okay. So we'll go with questions. Lloyd, I'll go with you first.
I have no questions. No questions. Okay. Michael? No questions. Again, for the community, just highlighting this is a very small concrete step towards being able to have our trial for battery electric buses and moving towards zero-emission buses in our CAT bus fleet.
So I know this is a very small item, but exciting to see that move forward, and I have no concerns with the item. And just one other thing. Once this is approved, Dominion Energy is on call. It will be able to get this done pretty quickly.
So they're- Yeah. Okay. They're waiting on site- Yes ... with bated breath. Yes. Natalie, did you have any questions? How long will it take to do the installation? It shouldn't take long. I would say once they get materials, get it in place, it'd probably take a month or two to get it activated and charged.
Okay. Thank you. Okay. Wait a minute. This is a public hearing. So that being said, I will open up. Would anyone like to speak on this item? If not, I will close the public hearing on this, and I'll take a motion.
So, due to the packet arrangement, I have to read the resolution and then have the motion at the end, so please bear with me. "A resolution granting an easement to Dominion Power to enable electrical power service to electrical charging infrastructure.
Whereas the city has the need to install Charlottesville Area Transit, CAT, transit bus chargers, and whereas CAT buses will require access to electric charging infrastructure, and whereas Dominion Energy offers a program to support the city's fleet electrification initiatives by delivering and operating utility-owned charging infrastructure, and whereas the installation of electric charging infrastructure required the establishment of an easement to enable the provision of electrical service to the charging system, and whereas city staff has worked with Dominion Power to verify the location, effectiveness, and practicality of the proposed easement and has concluded that these modifications are legitimate and necessary additions to the easement to enable Dominion to provide electrical service to the charging system, and whereas the proposed easement is depicted in Instrument 81-26-00300, which is enclosed for reference, and whereas the electrical charging system will support the Climate Action Initiative of Electrify the School Bus Fleet.
Now therefore be it resolved that the City of Charlottesville approves the existing easement provided to Dominion Power for the provision of electrical power service to the electrical charging system located at 1545 Avon Street Extended." That's the resolution.
Now here's the motion. Second. Well, I got to read the motion first. Oh, sorry. I move to pass this resolution and grant an easement to Dominion Power for the purpose of providing electrical power service to the electrical charging system at 1545 Avon Street Extended.
Now second. Yes. Okay. It's been moved and properly seconded. We can vote. I'm a yes. Okay. Okay. The motion passes five to zero. Thank you. The next item on the agenda is a resolution to appropriate $320,000 in school zone photo enhancement revenue for FY27.
It's the first of two readings. Roman? Good evening again, Mayor, Vice Mayor, Counselors. Sam Roman, Assistant City Manager. I apologize for the hardship of you having to listen to me twice tonight. But Chrissy and I will tag team this one.
But before she comes up and speak more specifically to the item, I just wanted to give you an overall update of Vera Mobility and where we are at currently. I have also Lieutenant Greg Wade on the line, who can also answer any specific technical questions that you may have as well.
As you know, a resolution was approved in 2023 authorizing the use of speed cameras. The city, after the resolution, went about procuring a system, which we all know is currently Vera Mobility, to include setup and testing of this system to ensure operability and provide a time for our citizens to become familiar with it.
Currently, the system is deployed at three schools with two cameras per school. The contract process currently Vera Mobility to review all of the infractions that are initially committed. And then what they do is forward it to CPD to then verify it and issue the summons, if you would.
Once the violations are reviewed by Vera Mobility, as I said, and they are deemed a viable infraction, those are then sent to CPD for validation and issuance of the summons. Currently, funding costs, just to talk a little bit about funding.
We are enrolled in what is called, according to the contract, a flexible spending plan, which by the contract allows monies collected as fines to then be used as monthly payments for the cost of the system.
And correct me if I'm wrong, Lieutenant Wade, please feel free to step in at any time. We pay about $25,000 a month for those six cameras, along with the operations and the technical support that we receive from Vera Mobility.
In order to successfully participate in the flexible spending plan, CPD is not allowed to reject more than 10% of the viable infractions. And so currently, we are within that. Currently only at a rejection rate of about 2%.
Currently, there is an average of about an 80% successful payment ratio, and the remaining 20% is currently referred to collection or a collection status and deemed delinquent. So, as we move forward, our operational relationship with Vera Mobility as it matures, there are currently additional items that we are working on with Vera Mobility before expansion considerations are contemplated.
One being a more efficient monthly payment process, and Chrissy, am I correct, you'll get into that? As well as ensuring the newly enacted provisions of 46.2882.1, which requires additional mandates as of July 1, 2026, to make sure that we are falling within the bounds of those new requirements.
Which include things like emergency action plans, things like procedures for contesting a ticket, and establishing methods for answering questions, most of which we already have, by establishing a process in which we notify state police as to the numbers of the infractions that were recorded over the course of the year.
And last but not least, ensuring that our purge is 21 days as opposed to the current 30 days. So, with that being said, I will turn it over to Chrissy, and then we'll be happy to answer any questions you may have.
Thank you. So, as you know, there are six cameras that were installed in October of 2025. In November of 2025, we received the first invoice in the amount of $25,504. As noted, the original agreement provided multiple payment options but was silent as to which one was chosen.
And so we have been reaching out, working with the vendor, as Mr. Roman noted, to try to figure out the best way to deal with this. As such, there were no dollars appropriated in the '26 budget or the '27 budget.
So in '26, we actually used the citywide reserve to pay those invoices. So from October 2025 to April of 2026, we had collected just a little over $177,000, and those were remitted to the vendor to pay for the cameras.
The resolution before you is an estimate of the revenue that we expect to receive in '27. And so basically, we're just appropriating that revenue to be used as payment to the vendor. Okay. Let me check.
Make sure this is a public hearing, too. So before we approve this or vote on this, are there questions? I note the recommended motion is just doing this in one vote, four-fifths majority, which I'm fine with.
That just was in the packet. The only question I have, do I read correctly, in the agenda packet, that it's anticipated in the future, the revenue will not cover the cost of the system? We do feel that as it...
Hello. As it has turned out for the last few months, we have not collected revenue in the amount of the invoice that's due. And so yes, the balance holds over, and there will be probably a balance due at the end.
Mm-hmm. Because of school not being in session? School not being in session. People are- And also- ... slowing down. Yes. The idea- Yeah ... obviously, of the program- Mm-hmm ... is to improve speeding.
And so as the program continues, people are made aware of the cameras and things of such, less violations will occur, which is a good thing. Mm-hmm. And obviously, less fines being collected as well to cover the cost of the program as the program matures.
But it is true that we don't have it on during summer. Correct. That is correct. The cameras are only recording the violations, or violations are only being taken from the times in which schools are in sessions, and those flashing lights are flashing, indicating that it is a school speed zone.
Right. So I'm asking this just to clarify Michael's question of we're never going to cover our summer months with the summer months. But are you asking if we're going to cover the whole year with our school year months?
You mean cover the payment? We don't think that the revenue from the tickets will cover the whole cost of the cameras. Yeah. We think there'll be a balance due at the end. Which is the same principle as our paper bag, plastic bag fees.
You want to see that go down. But sorry for interrupting you. I just wanted to clarify- No ... the payment covering. Thank you. But yeah, that was my question. And interesting case study of companies establishing monopolies and costing cities money over time, but- Council- ...
that's beyond our If I could, though, I believe under the payment plan that we've selected, am I right that at the end, if there is a balance due that is forgiven after at the end of the contract under the deferred payment plan?
That is correct. There is a portion of the contract that states if every facet of the contract is adhered to, one of them being the 10% rejection rate, and certainly there are others, that there is an opportunity to forgive any debt at the end of the contract period, which, for us, is five years, and we are currently in year one.
How likely is that? One of the things that I've experienced with Vera Mobility is it is somewhat difficult to get concrete answers. So, in saying that, you have to define the definitions. One of the options is we have to adequately collect delinquent fines.
And so one of the questions that I've had for Vera Mobility is what is the definite definition of collection of fines? And myself and the city attorney's office is currently working with Vera to establish what that definition is.
Mm-hmm. Right. Which I imagine could be a conflict since the city doesn't have a particular interest in pursuing aggressive collections against people who may have a small balance. This is correct. Vera employs or works with a third-party vendor to collect those fines, and we are choosing to, because we don't know much about the third-party vendor, we are choosing to create a process internally, working with the treasurer's office to ensure that we have a process in place for collecting debt, which is consistent with our community's expectations.
Mm-hmm. All that is very helpful. Thank you. Thank you. And just to clarify, you had said companies with a monopoly, but there are other companies that do school zone cameras. Yes, there are definitely other companies.
Our jurisdictions around us use different companies as well. And we're not legally bound to this company in any way, other than the contract. Sorry. Other than the contract. Yeah. I mean, it's not like if the contract runs out, we do have the opportunity to sign with somebody else.
That is correct. Thank you. Did you have any other questions? Mr. White? Yeah. I'm curious about one line in the memo that we got. It says, "One of the options provided allows for the city to pay either the amount of the monthly invoice or the amount of enforcement revenue received, whichever is less." But it seems to me that under that formulation, it would be impossible for us to have a balance due.
That's just the payment on a monthly basis. Again, I think it's fair to say we've been in lots of conversations with them, in terms of what is meant. A lot of their terminology in the contract is open to discussion.
Would you say that's fair? Well said. So as we understand it currently, on a monthly basis, we pay only what is collected or the invoice, whichever is less. And then at the end, depending on some evaluation period, if we've complied with all of the terms and conditions as to whether or not there will be a balance due.
But if we have complied with all of the conditions, there should be no balance due. Is that the expectation? That would be correct- Yes ... at the end of the contract period. Okay. All right. Thank you.
Okay. Jen, do you have any questions? No. Okay. So this is the first of two readings that we want to have this as a regular agenda item at the next meeting, or focus an agenda item. I think we wanna vote ahead with and waive a second reading.
And I would note, this is a contract we're already locked into, so this is just reallocation of money given that. So this is not really about the company or the terms of the contract. All that said, given that, I would move that city council approve the resolution to appropriate $320,000 in school zone traffic camera revenue for FY 2027, waiving the requirement for a second reading with a four-fifths vote.
Second. Second. Okay. It's been moved and properly second. Let's vote. Yes for me. Okay. The motion passes, I believe 5-0. Thank you very much. Thank you. The next item on the agenda is a resolution initiating a referendum to authorize the imposition of a local general retail sales tax, not to exceed 1%, the proceeds of which would be used solely for capital projects for the construction or renovation of public schools serving the City of Charlottesville.
John Maddox will speak on this. Good evening, council. Tonight, I stand before you to present a resolution. This is the process to begin placing a school capital tax sales question before city voters on November 3rd.
I think it's most important to note here at the outset that tonight council is not imposing a tax. Rather, you're deciding whether the voters should be given the opportunity to authorize one. So Virginia state law, it was passed just here with chinny chin chin in the state budget this year, now permits Charlottesville and any locality, counties, and cities to levy an additional local retail sales tax of up to 1%, but only after approval by referendum.
The revenue from that 1% sales tax may be used only for new school construction or major school renovations, including the related bond and financing costs that attend those. It can't be used for school operating expenses, just for construction capital projects.
It's important also to note that food purchased for home consumption and essential personal hygiene products are exempt. So groceries, personal hygiene products are not going to count toward the sales tax and won't have a charge.
The tax will be administered and collected by the commonwealth in the same manner as the existing sales tax So what the resolution before you tonight does, it asks the circuit court to order the referendum for November 3rd, 2026.
And if the resolution is approved tonight, I'm prepared to have a petition before the court tomorrow and to get that moving. We have until August 14th to get that order from the court ordering the referendum.
The ballot would ask the voters whether the city should be authorized to levy a tax of up to 1% for qualifying school capital projects. The resolution, by law, the tax must expire 20 years after tonight, the passage of the resolution.
So that fixes a date of June 30th, 2046 as the expiration date. We'll have the flexibility to pay directly for eligible projects, issue bonds, obtain loans, or use some combination of these approaches.
I'm sure the city manager might be able to speak more to what our approach might be. This resolution tonight only permits non-substance changes that may be required by the court or the election. This is pretty much fixed.
It was a lot of effort going into this resolution and the language, because it has to be exact, because we are taking this to the voters and we can't make a lot of changes. But if we need to make a little tweak in between now and August 14th, we can.
What happens after tonight? If you pass the resolution, my office will file the petition, proposed order with the circuit court. It has to be placed on the ballot 81 days before November 3rd, which is August 14th.
That gives us our deadline. The clerk of court's going to publish notice once a week for three consecutive weeks in the paper. And if the voters approve the referendum, this tax still doesn't take effect automatically.
I will be back before you for to pass an ordinance that would impose the sale and use tax at that time. At that point, council could set the rate at 1% or something lower. It's going to authorize you up to 1%.
And any ordinance that would take effect on the first day of the month, at least 120 days after adoption. So assuming it's passed by referendum and assuming that this comes before you at the next available meeting, that's looking somewhere in the March, April, possibly early May timeframe for this to go into effect.
So the decision tonight, again, is not whether to impose the tax, it's whether to place the question before the voters and allow them to decide whether council should have the authority to impose that tax.
If the referendum passes, you still have to do the separate public process to determine whether to impose the tax. So without anything further, I'll take questions if you have them. Okay. Jen, you have any questions?
No questions. Yeah. Lloyd? No questions. Okay. Michael? No. Long time coming and- Yeah ... no issues with this resolution to bring it to the voters. Yeah. Natalie? Yeah, just a quick question for general clarification.
It says the tax would not apply to food purchased for human consumption. Just to clarify the difference between restaurants and groceries. Yeah. You have to do a little bit of statute leaping to get there, but it's long-standing.
That's a term long used in Virginia tax law. It doesn't apply to food sold in restaurants, it's merely groceries. So groceries would not be taxed, but restaurants- Groceries not taxed, food sold in restaurants getting taxed.
Thank you. Okay. I just wanted to make sure people understood that difference. Yeah. So I will now open up the, if there's no other comments or questions from council, I'll now open up the public hearing for this for- This actually isn't a public hearing.
That's a mistake. Oh, okay. Okay. Sorry. And just to also clarify, the reason why there's not tons of questions from tonight is because we did have a work session on this that we went over a lot of details.
Yes. That is available to go back and watch as needed. And I would offer, just because if I were a member of the public, I'd probably be asking the question, "So what you going to do with the money?" So there is additional work that needs to be done in settling on a scope for the program that would be our facilities development program for our schools.
That work is still to be determined. We have been in regular conversation with representatives of the school system who are here tonight as well. There is a scope that needs to be determined based on what we think the proceeds of this tax to be over the 20-year period, as Mr.
Maddox has indicated. There's also the ability for the city to use its bond capacity to expand those dollars. We have been working with our financial advisors to determine how far we should likely go with that, as it also means that council would be restricting their ability to pass other bond items for themselves for other projects that they might prioritize.
So there is some wrestling with what we need to be able to identify for the public's benefit as to what a scope is. It is our priority that we would be able to conclude that conversation in a joint meeting on August 12th, where council and the school board will come together and one of the action items, or I shouldn't say action items, but one of the agenda items is to hopefully finalize what we would like to make available for public consumption as to the purpose of the tax proceeds as it relates to school campuses within the city of Charlottesville.
The goal would be to limit the number of schools that we are going to be able to touch so that the public can appreciate why they are passing a tax on themselves. Okay. Thank you. Thank you. We're having lots of discussion with the school board.
We have school board members Torrez, Burns, and Richardson here, I think. Oh, Ms. Bryant was here. Yeah. So, no other questions or comment. Is someone prepared to make a motion? I would move approval of the resolution as presented in the agenda packet.
Second. And Mr. Mayor, before you said comments, one comment I would like to make is that one of the reasons this is necessary is that about 20 years ago, the state got out of the business of helping localities fund school construction.
There used to be fairly significant contributions from the state. That went away some years ago. There are only very small contributions ever since, and places all over the state, counties all over the state, cities all over the state are having this problem.
And this is basically a step we need to take because the state abdicated it. Yeah. Thank you. I can't remember if it was moved and seconded. Yes, it's been moved and seconded. I wanted to shake the vote.
Count me as a yes. Yes. The motion passes five to zero. All right, so I feel like tick, tick. You can go run now. Yeah. Thank you. The next item on the agenda is appointment of the director of the Office of Police Civilian Oversight committee, board.
Good evening, Mayor Wade, Vice Mayor- Good evening ... Osterman, and council. It is a pleasure to come before you again this evening on behalf of the city manager, to request your appointment of James Walker to serve as the third PCOV director.
I want to apologize in advance that there was an administrative error in preparing the agenda. We had the opportunity to make a revision at the beginning of this meeting. With all the energy of the public comment, we didn't make this adjustment.
So you did have the ability to make this appointment by motion. And so, I would ask that, if council's pleasure, to approve this request or resolution on a single hearing. Okay. Is there questions or comments concerning Mr.
Walker's appointment as director of the PCOB? Before you do that, I would just simply like to offer that Mr. Walker has been consistently working hard at keeping the PCOB moving. He's been able to get a number of things organized and brought before you on a couple of occasions, very dense material that has led to the clarifying of what the role is for board members.
He's successfully participated in orienting new board members. They are working as a body. And the goal will be that we can make adjustments to the operating model and make sure that things actually hit a stride and maintain that stride.
So that is the reason for, after an interview with myself and two members of the board, including Dr. Frazier, we are 100% in support of Mr. Walker taking over the reins permanently. Thank you. Did you want to say a few words?
Please. Well, good evening, Mr. Mayor, city council, and Mr. Sanders. I appreciate this opportunity to be in front of you, and for the words shared. My goal has been, since I came to... I come from an operations background.
So part of what I view the role of this office being is to support and facilitate the civilian-led work of the board, who represents the community. And so, that effort means operationalizing many of the things that have needed to be operationalized over the years.
And so, that is my mission. We have a full board of eight members who are on board with that mission and carrying this oversight work forward. Of which there are members of the community here tonight or were here earlier, who were part of this original effort.
It does not look the same as it originally did, or was it originally intended. But we are moving forward with oversight that is focused, community-driven, transparent, and focused on accountability. So I appreciate your confidence in this.
Thank you. Thank you. Is there any additional comments there? No. No, Mayor. Okay. And we just want to acknowledge the members of the audience who are here tonight who were part of the initial PCOB, as well as the advocacy to create this body in the first place.
So just want to acknowledge all the years and countless time that you all dedicated, and I hope you are able to continue that work together with the community and the board. That said, I would be happy to move.
So Michael, before that, I think that in a long time, the board fully has all the members? Yes. Yeah. That is correct. Yeah. So great. And it's been hard to get new members, so it's great. And now they're getting trained, and so it's definitely moving in the right direction, so.
That said, I would move appointment of James Walker as director of the Office of Police Civilian Oversight. Is there any other additional language that was needed given the agenda packet? No, that's it.
It just concurs with my appointment. Just as I say we'll do. Second. Okay, it's been moved properly, second. Lloyd- Yes ... we'll say you? Okay. Yes. Thank you The motion passes five zero. All right, welcome.
Welcome, sir. Congratulations. All right. We have written report. If there's no comments on that, we will go to the second opportunity for community matters, and this is for the opportunity for people that didn't speak at the first hearing.
And then you, Carmella. Okay. I've sit so long. Yeah. You got it. Oh, Lord, have mercy. Whatever floats. I'll go to sleep. Well, good evening. My name's Gloria Beard, and I live in the 10th and Page neighborhood.
I have lived there for 30 years and been in Charlottesville since 1972. My children were born here but no longer live here. I worked and retired here and have witnessed some good things and some devastating things in this town, especially the year of 2017, when Charlottesville hosted the Neo-Nazi and the Ku Klux Klan Unite the Right rally.
Now, here it is, 2026, and the Black historic neighborhoods are being threatened with high-rise apartments for UVA students. It wasn't enough for the Derrick building on Preston Avenue. Who can afford any of these buildings unless they're affordable?
You allow these contractors from Texas, and God knows where else, to bid for every space in our neighborhood, to cause taxes to rise, and people could become homeless. We are upset with all the homeless people now that are dying and being sexually assaulted.
They are human beings and have nowhere to live for a long time. Why is that? Why is it taking so long to house these people? Because with things going up, a whole lot of us might be homeless, including me.
Where am I going? Because I'm definitely not going to the nursing home. My question is, why was no respect given to First Baptist on 632 West Main Street and our pastor, Dr. Reverend Arthur Long? You sent those contractors after the deal had been made.
How disrespectful was that? I have been a member since 2002 and love my church and church family. We are the first colored church, as they call it, in Charlottesville, and now we ask, how long with the decisions you all make?
We have a wonderful steeple on top of our church, which to people of faith means something, and now will be hidden from view because of that seven-foot building that they are going to build. Finney Hill all over again.
And if y'all go to the library, there is a book about Finney Hill. I don't know if y'all have seen this book. And wait a minute. I'm sorry. It's Finney Hill all over again, and it's 2026. I'm asking the city council to revote on approval of these high-rise student buildings out of respect for this city's Black neighborhoods and the First Baptist Church.
Thank you. And before I forget, there are three Airbnbs on Page Street- Thank you ... and they are being rented. Thank you. And you need to check it out because people are supposed to live there for a while.
Nobody's in those buildings. Thank you. And they making money when people could live in them. Thank you. I'll say good night. Mm-hmm. Thank you for having me. Sorry I'm late. No. Just want to speak on the Seven and a Half Street project from the Fifield Neighborhood Association.
I've lived in Charlottesville all of my life, and I feel like the city is all about UVA and the students, and not the people who voted you guys in and who you're supposed to represent. If your neighborhood is not close to UVA, 10th and Page, or downtown, then you're safe from these high-rise buildings.
It's the people that live in these neighborhoods and the low-income residents that hurt the most. It's time to stop hurting these people and these neighborhoods. Start the healing and stop putting up a sign or two that folks ride by and don't even see.
You're putting a Band-Aid on the heart and the wound, and it's not healing. The sting is still there. Thank you. Anyone over here like to speak? Go right on. My name is Abby Gaskin. I live on Ferry Street here in Charlottesville.
Just want to piggyback off of Ms. Gloria's comment. My husband and I went through Fifield Neighborhood, we went through 10th and Page Neighborhood, to try and just create more people to show up and be involved in city council meetings.
I can't tell you how many Airbnbs that are sitting there in Fifield that people have just scooped up with deep pockets, and also 10th and Page Neighborhood. And I think it's rather disturbing for livable Charlottesville.
Livable Charlottesville has no respect for the city whatsoever. Livable Charlottesville, they're very excited about the land use project because now the comprehensive plan, thanks to the new zoning code enacted in Charlottesville, it's now possible to build more kinds of housing for more kinds of people.
I wonder who those people are, because they certainly aren't the people that live in 10th and Page or Fifel. Those are the people that you're disrupting, is the Black neighborhood, and that's more apparent.
And I'd love to ask the lawyer here in Charlottesville, so with the MARH building, are there any restrictions or are there any laws against asking city council to provide the housing that Mr. Gathers had asked, since we're not allowed, that you told us, to have a second vote, which is really sad because this whole community has not been involved.
And First Baptist Church, that is a disgrace. That is a disgrace that this church, the oldest Black church in this neighborhood, was not even brought to attention what was going on. And if you stand on West Main Street, Natalie, it'd be really nice if you would pay attention, because you're one of those people.
I'm almost saying your things per data. It would just be really respectful because you're one of the people that wanted respect at the June 24th meeting. And you're one of these people that believe in live, whatever the hell this is, your livable Charlottesville.
It's disgraceful. You're going to give everybody and anybody that comes to this city a 100 hall pass to do whatever they want. That's not livable Charlottesville. Livable to who? And I want to read ...
I can't even. But thank you for letting me speak. I appreciate it. Thank you. Ms. McDonald. Good evening, Mr. Mayor, Council- Good evening ... City Manager. My name is Deanna McDonald, and let me just say upfront, I have lots of titles.
I'm an educator. I'm a member of First Baptist Church. I'm a nurse. I'm a community health advocate. I'm a business owner. I wear lots of hats. Today, I sit here just as a child of this community. My family goes back five generations, Charlottesville.
Today, you've heard about housing. You've heard about homelessness. You've heard about these impacts, and now I bring before you also the grocery store. So today it was published that the food co-op cannot go at 501 Cherry Avenue.
They voted to not go there because of financial reasons that are specifically tied to the building design. And contrary to what people would have anyone believe is because there's too much going on at the site.
You wanna put housing, you wanna put a grocery store, you wanna put resource centers for youth. The real problem here is systemic racism. Yes. Can we talk about it? The real problem is that we don't have programs and policies in place to dismantle systemic racism.
I urge this council to work with people like me. I have heard that this council, many of you don't want to work with people like me. I don't understand why. I feel like I have a good relationship. I don't come yelling and screaming.
I'm an educator, so I can offer answers. We could have an allocation of the budget where the residents could vote on what would go there. Dismantling of systemic racism would mean accountability for developers, all developers, not just those that come here, those that live here and own half the city.
All developers, so that a community benefit like a grocery store couldn't get watered down in, "We tried to put so much on this site." What are we gonna do with the money that city council allocated to that grocery store now?
What is gonna happen there? And we keep talking about affordable housing. We could put affordable housing in a place that's less dense. We are putting that all on the backs of these historically Black neighborhoods.
So the real problem here, and I know nobody likes to see me coming, nobody likes to hear me say, it is racism. It's systemic racism. And you all are the guardians at the gate. Yeah. Work with me. I'm gonna keep showing up even though I'm classified as angry, a bully.
I'm passionate, and I'm frustrated. People are being harmed. My people. Please do better. Thank you. Anyone over here like to speak? You, sir. Okay. What's going on? You in the pink. As I said earlier, my name's James Rogers.
I very recently relocated to Charlottesville. I moved my family here. I have deep ties to Virginia and a lot of love for this city. I've been very concerned, as I've read the Daily Progress just in being here the last two weeks, about events that have been reported in the city.
And I'd like to just clarify one very important point that I believe was brought up this evening. I believe it was said, please confirm if this was the case, that the intended shelter that would be opened in September would be an emergency shelter.
Is that correct? That is the initial posture, yes. Okay, understood. Thank you, sir. And for my clarification and understanding, could you please define what an emergency shelter is? This is your time to speak.
I can speak after you finish. Okay. I would be happy to follow up- Sure ... and hear that technical definition. I've read, as I'm sure many others in this room have, in the Daily Progress, about a spectrum of barriers that may be put in place for shelters.
I understand from my reading, and I would love for you to correct me, sir, if I'm wrong after this discussion, that one of the perceived needs in this city is that there's not currently a low-barrier shelter.
I would love to know where on the spectrum, and I think this is very important for the community to be aware of, what the intended use of the shelter being discussed would be very specifically, and where on the spectrum of so-called barriers it would fall.
I think there are some obvious concerns that come to mind when one contemplates what a low or no-barrier shelter could practically mean for the community. I also believe the Code of Virginia explicitly has some notable criteria for what constitutes an emergency shelter, as well as, very importantly, whether such shelter would permit access to convicted sex offenders.
I have a one-year-old daughter. I missed her bedtime tonight to be at this meeting, and I've been here for three hours and heard people who are very sincere, all interested in trying to solve a very difficult problem.
And I fully appreciate the difficulty that you have as a council, and a group working with council, to try and address this problem. I do not envy your position, but I can see that you have a lot of empathy.
I hope as you're considering this very difficult question, we keep in perspective the broader community, not just potentially a vocal group of people who happen to attend a meeting. It's possible, and I don't know if this is the case, but it's possible that there is a very vocal minority and a silent majority.
I have to ask myself as a parent with a one-year-old daughter, how many other parents are not here and may share the same general concerns that I would have because they stayed at home for bedtime with their children tonight?
I don't know the answer to that question. None of us do. But I hope that we're able to make sure that the community is sufficiently educated so that we can continue to have a very robust and respectful discussion.
That's what everyone deserves. I appreciate your time. Thank you. Sam, did you want to give a quick definition of the emergency shelter, or you wanted to wait? Yeah, I guess what I can share with you is that this community has been talking about homelessness for a very long time.
I think the more accurate statement is it's probably been about 20 years that we've been talking about it, and we have not fully talked about it. There's been an ongoing need for us to identify what resources.
I refer to it as rungs on a ladder so that people can actually see that particular image. This community does not have a low-barrier shelter in existence today. We have high-barrier shelter, and then we also have a low-barrier shelter that only exists during the winter months.
The goal is for us to have a low-barrier shelter operational all year long. That is what the city is working on. That is what we have prioritized. We have to be very careful with what we are going to admit and accept in any facility that exists, but I always am a straight talker.
We have to appreciate the notion that individuals are in this community, and we don't know all the details about those individuals. So if we can at least find a place, they don't have to be outside. Therefore, we can make sure that we know who's where and what issues they face and get them the help that they need.
That is the commitment that I've offered as the city manager for the City of Charlottesville to continue to focus our efforts. We have our council member with some available time who's been working feverishly on this issue.
We are working regularly with the organizations here in our community that have been on the ground doing the work. To be perfectly frank, the capacity is not there to do all the things that we need. We are now trying to build that capacity outside this community as well.
So the work that we're doing at this present time is meant to be comprehensive. It is to come at this issue from every angle that we possibly can and to ensure that if there is anyone missing a step on that ladder, that we're going to be able to find a way to produce that for them.
That comes with some expectations. It comes with some standards. It comes with rules, and that is going to be a hard conversation for us to have because tonight we were able to represent the entire spectrum of that conversation.
So yeah, it's difficult. It's all right. I'm here for that. Yeah. Over here. Yes, sir. Mayor Wade, councilors, good evening. My name is Sam Gallant. Thanks for the opportunity to speak tonight. I wanted to speak in support of the city's decision to transition the encampment on the Rivanna.
I will say I was not here at the beginning of the meeting, but my wife spoke. She was not able to finish. She's very good at speaking for two minutes or three minutes, so I think she was drowned out. I'm going to be brief so that she can finish.
My perspective on this is pretty simple. I believe that public spaces are important. I believe that the city should protect and maintain them and allow them to be available to the public, and I think the city should not allow these spaces to be taken away.
What we've seen on the river is completely antithetical to what the city has been planning there for years. It has been terrible for families and citizens that rely on that space. It's been a disaster for people that try to run businesses and breathe life into this city.
So again, I wanted to applaud the efforts to restore the riverfront and help people who need help. I will say, and I'm kind of catching up on this, I believe last September there was a resolution proposed by Chief Kochez, and if I understand correctly, that would have codified that camping on public land is not allowed.
I think that was last September. In my opinion, that would have been a more fair and better course of action to adopt that back then to both citizens and to people that have set up there under the belief that that's their land.
And I would encourage the city to take that back up and just be clear that we're going to be consistent moving forward and not have this be kind of stops and starts. So again, thanks for the opportunity to speak.
I think we have one minute left. No. So- No, I'm sorry. Our policy doesn't... We've heard from her. We heard. If you have any additional comments, you can email it to us. So thank you. Well, I had to ask, so.
Thank you so much. Thanks. Thank you. Here in the middle. Yes. Hi, my name is Lizzie. I live off of Cherry Avenue, and I have a solution to all of this huge, difficult problem. You guys are gonna hate it, but that's fine.
If you just magically had around $24 million that you could put towards housing, then you could just give people who are currently unhoused housing, because I hear you say that you want to house the people who are currently living in the encampment, and I believe that most of them also want to be housed.
But you mentioned that there's no capacity for it or capacity to match people with resources. But it seems like what's really missing is the actual concrete places of where those houses are that people are gonna go or where the shelter space that actually works for everyone is gonna go.
So anyways, this magical $24 million could perhaps come out of the police budget. You can literally just abolish the police and then instead give everyone who needs a house, a house for the $24 million.
You could actually buy like 48 single-family homes in Charlottesville, but probably that's kind of weird, so maybe you would rather do apartments. So you could just buy 100 apartments and just give them to people, and then everyone has housing, and they're not criminalized, and it really does solve all those problems.
I know you're not gonna do that, so I'm gonna talk about some other stuff too during my time, but just for your consideration. It kind of seems to me like you guys are all talk when it comes to the emergency shelter.
You want it to happen and be ready, but it's not. And I think part of that is I've heard people saying, "We're going out there, we're surveying people to find out what their needs are." I think everybody has already been surveyed.
Their needs are already captured by the Haven, and it's just the capacity and the resources don't exist. So, I'm hoping that either you guys are just paying lip service about this September 1st thing so that the Redditors leave you alone and you won't actually do anything.
You'll kind of be like, "Oh, yeah, we'll take care of it September 1st," and September 1st rolls around and you don't, rather than just put people in jail or put them in places against their will. But, yeah, I guess what I'm saying is if you're just gonna give empty words, please give it to the people who are opposed to people just existing on the Rivanna Trail and actually do something for the people who are living there.
It would also mean a lot to them if you called out the TikTokers who are going down there and harassing them. That would really mean something. Also, the police driving through there every night is keeping people awake, and they have health conditions, and they're not sleeping well.
It's making everything worse. So if you could call out the police and ask them not to do that, that would be helpful. Thank you. Hi. I'm not the best public speaker, so sorry if I stumble over my words.
My name is Io Long. I am a lifelong Central Virginia resident, a UVA student, and now a proud resident of Charlottesville, and I am asking you tonight to not go through with the plans to remove the Free Bridge encampment until everybody has a house to go to.
And I say this because all of the decisions regarding homelessness and housing affordability have been completely unfinished for as long as I have been here. I have seen the Mark go almost restricted, and then you did not do that.
Thank you for mentioning the co-op. That is no longer going through and no longer going to help people with food. And I have seen that you are going to force everybody to leave the Free Bridge encampment without actually having the shelter ready to house them.
It doesn't exist yet. And furthermore, I have seen that the shelter is going to supposedly provide services to get people into new housing. However, we don't have the units for that. They're not there.
And so, all the units are now going to be going to the children of the politicians and corporate overlords who are able to afford to send their kids to UVA while everybody else, well, the residents that cannot afford their groceries, the UVA students that are having to rely on the university and federal funding as well as having two jobs like I do in order to just barely get by, it's not working for us.
And I would really like if y'all Got some new glasses, reevaluated your priorities, and helped first. Thank you. Thank you. Ma'am. Hi. Hello. I'm Cagle McDonald. I live over on North, and my husband and I moved to Charlottesville from New York just three years ago after visiting the first time in 2019 after my daughter moved here.
One of the uniquely wonderful, magical places we instantly loved about this city was the Rivanna Trail, and it has been heartbreaking to observe how the encampments along the river have grown, how the situation has become increasingly dangerous for the people that are living there, and for the community at large.
It's unsanitary and it's destructive for everyone. I am here to applaud the council's decision to end the encampments, and I am hopeful that what I've heard about your dedication to treat the people living along the river with respect is true.
That is what I've been able to feel from you tonight. I've also hear, and my heart goes out to the people who are so frustrated and living in these conditions. I want to commend you if you are connecting them to the resources they need.
And I'm also sure that there are so many people in this community that would like to be helpful. People who may be on different sides of this situation. They also want things to be safe. So you don't need any more work than you already have, but if there could be some way of connecting people, a simple list of how people can be helpful, whether it's...
I don't know where to begin. I don't know where to begin, and you've been dealing with this for 20 years. But to volunteer for something, you have to go through... I can't imagine what people are doing trying to get the help they need.
We can't even figure out how to help in a little way. Where do you donate that it's... Anyway, any way of guidance to the neighbors and the people in the community would be helpful. Thank you for your time.
I really appreciate it. Thank you. I'll get you in next time. Hi, I'm Ren Walker. I live off Cherry Ave. For the last two years, every several months, someone I know personally has become homeless. We talk about homeless people and housed people like they're these different separate categories that never mix, and that's not true, right?
We don't have jobs here that pay the rent. We talked about how half the people in this city who pay rent can't really afford their rent, right? Everyone's one broken car, one job firing away from maybe being on the street themselves, right?
The people who live at Freebridge used to live all over the city. Many were housed, many were not. The city's pushed people into one place. These are our residents, right? These are our residents more than UVA students, more than people who just moved here from out of town, right?
We have a responsibility to all our residents, whether or not it's pretty, right? Let's take care of everyone who's here and not criminalize people for existing because of the economic situations that we've created through zoning and through business decisions.
This is our problem to solve. It's not the fault of people who are here. Thank you. Thank you. Hi, my name is Sarah Tansey. I live in the Hogwallow community. I've been in Charlottesville for 15 years.
It's late. I'm exhausted. I'm an early childhood educator. I was at school all day with my three to eight year old students. One of my seven-year-old students signed up to speak but was on the wait list, so she prioritized bedtime.
Many of my students wanted to be here tonight. They care about our community. They're not afraid of people who are living in the wild on the streets. We see them all the time when we're downtown. I don't really have anything nice to say, but the decisions you all are making as a council are not nice.
So I don't actually feel that bad about it. Your leadership is uninspiring, uninteresting, mediocre, and frankly, not surprising at all. From 10th and Page to Freebridge, you are sanitizing, you are serving power, you are serving whiteness.
You are serving money. I've sat through this entire meeting. I've been at city council meetings for years. You are no different than those who have come before you. You are not pushing for actual, functional, meaningful solutions.
You are part of the problem of power, each of you You are choosing to push people out of sight, out of mind. You are allowing whiteness and power to tower over Black communities that saw Confederate statues put up in those same spaces to terrorize them decades ago.
That's all. It is just more of the same. There is no bold, inspiring leadership before us, and we deserve it. You want to know who to donate to? There are so many mutual aid organizations in this city actually doing the work of supporting people who need support, because we know that all of us need support at any given time.
It could be you. It could be me. It could be our neighbors at Freebridge, our neighbors who are also citizens. Weird thought. Why is she- Please. You can- Please ... please don't come. Please. Yes. Shh.
Thank you. I don't really have much else to say. It's disappointing, but it's not surprising. In Charlottesville, the liberal bastion that invited UTR into our streets and then acted like they didn't know what was going to happen.
Year after year after year, we see the same decisions. It's not anything new. Thank you. Anyone over here like to speak? If not, I'll go here in the middle, I think. Yes. Hi, my name's Jenny Ragsdale.
I live on Seventh Street at 300, right next to the proposed mark, so obviously that's what I'm going to talk about. I think some amazing points have been brought up at all of the meetings we've had about the church and the neighborhood and the history, and they're all incredibly important, and they've been spoken to poignantly.
There's also been a lot of issues brought up about the infrastructure. I don't know that we've talked about that as much. I live right there on that corner, and when the train is coming by, there's no getting in or out of that street.
If I were in my house and needed an ambulance or a firetruck, it would not make its way there. There's traffic from Delavan, from the railroad track, all the way past Dice Street that you can't get past, and I haven't heard that addressed at all.
I wish it would be addressed. But mostly, I think of the neighborhood itself and the church, and I think we've all heard Vinegar Hill brought up multiple times tonight, and I think if we could go back in time to the day before they started razing that neighborhood, we would want to stop it.
And I've heard that the answer is we can't stop it. Once the vote's made, there's no changing it, and I don't know why that is. I would love for someone to tell me why. I suppose it's because we'll get sued or there's procedural problems.
I don't know what they are, but none of them are real issues if we're destroying a neighborhood and a church and a community. I think we can stop it because it hasn't started yet. I wish we could reconsider.
That's it. Mr. Mayor, if I can give something to the clerk? Yes, sir. Okay. Thank you. And I can email these as well. There's a essay I put together, which you may have read, that I wanted to share with council, and there's a technical document- Okay ...
fire marshal that we wrote up. Thank you. Thanks. First of all, I'm Jim Snyder. My wife and I have a house on Fifth Street, 260B on Fifth Street Southwest. It's one of six cottages built 20-plus years ago on a third of an acre.
It's actually what I think you all are trying to get done, but I've now been rezoned to seven stories. So just wanted to mention that there's a lot of bad zoning that was done that I think the council can undo.
But I wanted to compliment the mayor. I was there on the 4th of July on a very hot day while he gave a really eloquent talk about the Liberty Bell that happens to reside at the firehouse on Ridge Street.
So if you haven't seen it, it's the Virginia Liberty Bell. There's a really fascinating history about it. That station was built to replace the one that was torn down when Vinegar Hill was cleared. And we had the fire chief emeritus there, Julian Taliaferro, who rang the bell 13 times in sync with what's going on nationally at 2:00, I believe.
So you were very eloquent. I appreciate your comments. I've also shared with you all a memo that we sent to the fire marshal asking him to take a look at the emergency issues regarding serving the Fifteville area and the Mark project, which is planned to be built right on the property line of the railroad.
So there's a detailed technical piece here that has a lot of photographs. The condition of the railroad there, the road bed, et cetera, is very poor. We're asking for a safety look You heard today concerns about access.
The fire department will not cross 5th Street and 7th Street with their trucks for safety reasons. Today, several times, there were trains that were seven minutes long blocking 7th Street. There really should be no real big development south of the tracks on Fifield because right now you can't get there from here.
You have an opportunity now. You've got $27 million in bonds. Create a roadway that connects the back of the fire department through 4th Street, through those parking lots that go to 5th and go down to 7th Street so that you actually have a roadway that gives good circulation because you have no access to the community.
Very steep hill. You're going to have a tragedy at some point there. Someone needs to know when you have a derailment at 4:00 in the morning when the seven-minute train goes by and the tracks are cracking and something happens, somebody should know that this was a problem, that you should not have this there.
That ought to be looked at with your $29 million. There's a road that needs to be there. There are parking lots there now that could be made to do that. At the same time, the zoning you've put together is going to eliminate the chance to ever enhance and rebuild the Charlottesville station because you're piling more density in as possible, so you will never have passenger service to Richmond in an hour.
Thank you. You need to look at that. Thank you. So at least real- Thank you ... time is wasting. Thank you. Yes, thank you. Anyone in the center here? Anyone else in the center? You've already spoken, sir.
But if no one else is- No, we could be here all night. Yeah. You are. Anyone else over here like to speak? Yeah, I don't want to take anyone's place. No. If no one is next. Yeah, no. So if there's no other comments that spoke for that has not previously spoken, is the- I believe he can speak.
He spoke at a different section of the meetings. Maybe he can't speak to the rule. I can just cite the rule. The rule says that the second Community Matters portion's for people who did not speak during the first Community Matters section of the agenda.
So if someone spoke at the first Community Matters, they should not speak at the second Community Matters. So are there other comments? Excuse me. Yeah. We didn't hear a word you said. So if you spoke one time during the public comment- At the, I wasn't aware.
I- Please answer the question ... I'm the mayor, okay? I'm answering your question. If you spoke once during a public hearing, public comment, then that is it, whether it's beginning or at the end. So you speak one time.
Can I get- An answer to the question, please? It was just we couldn't hear. Thank you. It was just we can't hear what he said. And I just relayed it. Thank you. So if there are no other comments from anyone that has not spoke before, is there a motion to adjourn?