Charlottesville City Council (2018-2019): Difference between revisions

From Cvillepedia
Jump to navigation Jump to search
mNo edit summary
mNo edit summary
(35 intermediate revisions by 2 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
'''''See Main Article: [[City Council]]'''''
:'''''See Main Article: [[City Council]]'''''
:''See also: [[List of City Councilors]]''


The '''Charlottesville City Council, 2018-2019''', is the current governing body of the City of Charlottesville.  
The two-year term of the '''Charlottesville City Council (2018-2019)''' ran from January 1, 2018 to December 31, 2019. This council was preceded by the [[Charlottesville City Council (2016-2017)]] and was succeeded by the [[Charlottesville City Council (2020-2021)]].


The Charlottesville City Council is composed of five members who are elected "[[at-large]]" by City voters, operate as a single entity and granted by the [[1946 Charter | City Charter]] and the [[Code of Virginia]] with the power of establishing laws in the city, adopting an annual budget and setting tax levels. In January 2018, at the first regular meeting after the November [[2017 election]], the president of the council (called "mayor") and the president pro tempore (called "vice-mayor") were elected by the council to serve two-year terms. The mayor is a fifth member of the City Council, chairs the council meetings and acts as the official head of the city government.
Under the current form of government, the City Council was composed of five members, including the Council President (mayor). Each member was elected at-large, by voters to four-year, staggered terms, with elections held every two years.  


Regular council meetings are held in the City Hall on the first and third Monday of each month starting at 6:30 p.m. except on holidays or if decided by special resolution.
<gallery perrow=5 caption="Previous City Council: Term ran from January 1, 2018 to December 31, 2019">
File:2018-Wes Bellamy.JPG|[[Wes Bellamy]] (D), Member from January 2016 to December 31, 2019
File:2018-Kathy Galvin.JPG|[[Kathy Galvin]] (D), Member from January 2012 to December 31, 2019
File:2018-Mike Signer.JPG|[[Mike Signer]] (D), Member from January 2016 to December 31, 2019
File:2018-Nikuyah Walker.jpeg|[[Nikuyah Walker]] (I), Member Since: January 2018; President (mayor) Since: January 2018; Next Election: November 2, 2021
File:2018-Heather Hill.JPG|[[Heather Hill]] (D), Member Since: January 2018; Vice-president (vice-mayor) Since: January 2018; Next Election: November 2, 2021
</gallery>
 
==From of Government==
​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​The City of Charlottesville operates under the Council-Manager form of government as granted by the [[Code of Virginia]] and the [[1946 charter |City Charter]]. From within council, by simple majority vote, the President (called mayor) and the Vice-president (called vice-mayor) of the Council are elected at the [[#City Council Organizational Meeting, January 1, 2018|first regular meeting of the new term]]. The [[City Manager]], among the [[#City Officers|City Officers]] appointed by the Council, acts as the Chief Executive Officer. The City Manager is responsible for day-to-day operations, as well as carrying out policy decisions made by the City Council.  


<gallery perrow=5 caption="Charlottesville City Council, 2018-2019 (January 1, 2018 to December 31, 2019)">
File:2018-Wes Bellamy.JPG|[[Wes Bellamy]], (D) City Councilmember Since January 2016, Next Election December 5, 2019
File:2018-Kathy Galvin.JPG|[[Kathy Galvin]], (D) City Councilmember Since 2012, Next Election December 5, 2019
File:2018-Heather Hill.JPG|[[Heather Hill]], (D) City Councilmember Since January 2018, Vice-Mayor Since January 2018, Next Election in 2021
File:2018-Mike Signer.JPG|[[Mike Signer]], (D) City Councilmember Since January 2016, Next Election December 5, 2019
File:2018-Nikuyah Walker.jpeg|[[Nikuyah Walker]], (I) City Councilmember Since January 2018, Mayor Since January 2018, Next Election in 2021
</gallery>
==City population==
==City population==
The total population reported in the City of Charlottesville for 2017-2018 was 43,475 (according to the  U.S. Census Bureau Quickfacts). The area within the city limits is 10.27 square miles.  
Population Census (April 1, 2010): 43,475.
==Organization==
:According to the  [https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/charlottesvillecityvirginiacounty U.S. Census Bureau Quickfacts], the estimated population in 2018 was 48,117, which represents a 10.67% population growth since the last census.
The City of Charlottesville is administered by a Council-Manager form of government in which five citizens are elected at-large to serve on the [[City Council]] and select a [[City Manager]] to carry out the policies of City Council. The City Council establishes the City's public policy through resolutions and ordinances, approves proposed programs, and controls the funding of these programs. The City Council is guided by the [[City Charter]], as adopted and approved by the Virginia General Assembly in [[1946]], and by its own rules of procedure, resolutions and ordinances. The City Council is required by the City Charter to elect one of its members to act as president (called [[Mayor]]) by presiding over its meetings and continue in office two years; a vice-president ([[Vice-mayor]]); a [[City Manager]]; a [[City Clerk of Council]]; and a [[City Finance Director]].  
::The area within the city limits was 10.27 square miles, giving it a population density of about 4,600 people per square mile.  
==Elections==
Two open council seats (previously held by [[Kristin Szakos]] and [[Bob Fenwick]]) were up at the last municipal election held on [[November 7]], [[2017]]; two new members were chosen by the city voters - [[Nikuyah Walker]] and [[Heather Hill]]; See also: [[2017 election]]. The November 5, 2019 municipal election will include three open seats on the city council. (Incumbent [[Kathy Galvin]], [[Mike Signer]] and [[Wes Bellamy]] each declined to seek re-election.) See also [[2019 election]].
 
::In [[2004]], the [[Charlottesville City Council, 2004-2005 | 2004-2005 City Council]] moved the municipal elections from May to November by passing an ordinance.<ref>https://www.cvilletomorrow.org/articles/future-of-charlottesville-governance</ref>. The first November elections was held on [[2007 elections |November 6, 2007]], new members of [[Charlottesville City Council, 2008-2009 | 2008-2009 City Council]] took office on January 1, 2008.<ref>https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title15.2/chapter2/section15.2-201/</ref>
 
==City Council Organizational Meeting, January 1, 2018==
Council organizational meetings are held every two years at the first regular meeting in January after the municipal election.
*At the first meeting of the '''2018-2019 City Council''' term, the council elected [[Nikuyah Walker]] as mayor, and [[Heather Hill]] as vice-mayor. <ref>{{cite web|title=Walker selected as Charlottesville’s next Mayor after public discussion|url=http://www.cvilletomorrow.org/news/article/29461-mayor-nikuyah-walker/|author=Sean Tubbs|work=News Article|publisher=Charlottesville Tomorrow|location=|publishdate=January 3, 2018|accessdate=March 26, 2019}}</ref> City Council committee assignments were also determined at this organizational meeting. (see below)
 
==Issues in the city==
*[[February 5]], [[2018]] &ndash; The revised [[Council Meeting Procedures]] was passed by Council. At the conclusion of their [[City Council annual retreat|annual retreat]], the Council revised the [[Rules and Procedures for conducting council meetings]] in an effort "to help City Council conduct its affairs in a timely and efficient manner, while encouraging a robust and meaningful dialogue with members of the community."  Council last made major changes to its meeting procedures in February [[2016]], when an effort was made to make meetings more formal.<ref>https://www.cvilletomorrow.org/articles/city-council-format-change</ref>
 
*[[February 25]], [[2018]]  &ndash; Following the events of the summer of 2017, some people new to the political system began to question how the city was governed. As part of that discussion, [[Charlottesville Tomorrow]] and the [[League of Women Voters of the Charlottesville Area]] held panel discussions in February 2018 to educate people about the possibilities. <ref>{{cite web|title=How might Charlottesville be governed differently in the future?|url=http://www.cvilletomorrow.org/news/article/30019-future-of-charlottesville-governance/|author=Sean Tubbs|work=News Article|publisher=Charlottesville Tomorrow|location=|publishdate=February 28, 2018|accessdate=March 5, 2018}}</ref>
 
*[[March 30]], [[2018]]  &ndash; Councilor Bellamy told the [[Jefferson Literary and Debating Society]] that he would call upon Council to switch to a system where the mayor is directly elected by the voters, rather than current system in which the mayor is internally appointed by the City Council every two years. Bellamy said this transition would require a change to the City’s charter - but did not specify whether he believes the amendment would grant the mayor additional powers and responsibilities<ref>{{cite web|title=City Councilor Wes Bellamy talks Aug. 11 and 12, local politics with Jefferson Society|url=http://www.cavalierdaily.com/article/2018/04/city-councilor-wes-bellamy-talks-aug-11-and-12-local-politics-with-jefferson-society|author=Geremia Di Maro|work=News Article|publisher=Cavalier Daily|location=|publishdate=April 3, 2018|accessdate=October 16, 2019}}</ref>
 
*[[July 16]], [[2018]] &ndash; A year after the previous Charlottesville City Council changed the names of two parks named for Confederate generals, the Council decided to rename them again. Councilors voted, 4-1, to change [[Emancipation Park]], formerly [[Lee Park]], to [[Market Street Park]] and [[Justice Park]], formerly [[Jackson Park]], to [[Court Square Park]]. Councilor [[Wes Bellamy]] was the only one to vote against the resolution.<ref>{{cite web|title=Charlottesville City Council changes the names of two renamed parks|url=https://www.dailyprogress.com/news/local/charlottesville-city-council-changes-the-names-of-two-renamed-parks/article_9ac64d52-8963-11e8-853a-a3864982745e.html|author=Andrew Shurtleff|work=The Daily Progress staff reports|publisher=The Daily Progress|location=|publishdate=July 16, 2018|accessdate=October 28, 2019}}</ref>
 
*[[December 3]], [[2018]] &ndash; On motion by [[Wes Bellamy]], seconded by [[Kathy Galvin]], Council voted 3-2 to authorize that a request be made of state legislators to grant amendments to the [[City Charter]] to allow City Council to set its own compensation and officially move the City's municipal elections from May to November. <ref>http://www.charlottesville.org/home/showdocument?id=63920</ref>
 
*[[December 17]], [[2018]] &ndash; At the end of the regular council meeting, councilor [[Wes Bellamy]] asked that Charlottesville consider renaming [[Preston Avenue]] because its namesake was a Confederate officer and slave owner. According to Bellamy, the street is named for [[Thomas Lewis Preston]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Bellamy wants Preston Avenue to be renamed|url=https://www.dailyprogress.com/news/local/charlottesville-city-council-changes-the-names-of-two-renamed-parks/article_9ac64d52-8963-11e8-853a-a3864982745e.html|author=Nolan Stout |work=|publisher=The Daily Progress|location=|publishdate=December 19, 2018 |accessdate=October 28, 2019}}</ref>
 
*[[April 8]], [[2019]] &ndash; With the hope of directing the tax increases towards addressing the city's affordable housing needs, Councilors approved an increase in the lodging tax and voted to increase in the meals tax from 5% to 6%. Council vote was 4:1, without the support of Councilor [[Mike Signer]]. The increases went into effect Monday, [[July 1]], [[2019]].
 
*[[July 1]], [[2019]] &ndash; Council voted to officially remove [[Thomas Jefferson]]'s birthday, [[April 13]], as a holiday. It added two other holidays. <ref>{{cite web|title=City council votes to remove Thomas Jefferson holiday|url=https://www.cbs19news.com/content/news/Charlottesville-City-Council--512097811.html|author=By Brianna Hamblin|work=|publisher=CBS19NEWS.COM|location=|publishdate= July 02, 2019, Updated Tue 12:04 PM, Jul 02, 2019|accessdate=October 15, 2019}}</ref>
 
==Council Meeting Rules and Procedures==
===Phone into meetings===
audio/video teleconference
===Matters by the Public & Community Matters===
Under the [[Rules and Procedures for conducting council meetings]] two opportunities are to be afforded for members of the public to address Council as outlined in the [https://www.charlottesville.org/departments-and-services/departments-a-g/city-council/council-meeting-procedures Charlottesville City Council Meeting Procedures Passed by Council on February 5, 2018]:
# ''Matters by the Public'' session will be offered early in the meeting, which shall be called '''Community Matters''' (formerly Matters by the Public) (Limited to 16 speakers, maximum).
# ''Matters by the Public'' session will be offered as the final item on a regular meeting agenda. The purpose of ''Matters by the Public'' is to offer individuals an opportunity to state a position, provide information to City Council, comment on the services, policies and affairs of the City, or present a matter that, in the speaker’s opinion, deserves the attention of City Council. Speakers may speak for a maximum of three minutes and are requested to begin by identifying their name and address.
==="Our Town" meetings===
Council added the "[[Town Hall meeting]]" public forum to their revised [[2018 Council Meeting Rules and Procedures | Council Meeting Rules and Procedures]] as passed by Council on [[February 5]], [[2018]]. Council approved a community initiative called "Our Town Charlottesville" intended to bring town hall style meetings to City neighborhoods so that residents would be encouraged to discuss emerging issues and voice concerns and preferences about their respective communities. <ref>http://www.charlottesville.org/departments-and-services/departments-a-g/city-council/our-town-charlottesville</ref>
 
::As of October 2019, Council has not held a [[Town Hall meeting]]. <ref>https://www.charlottesville.org/departments-and-services/departments-a-g/city-council/our-town-charlottesville</ref> (The last Town Meeting was held on January 12, 2017. Members of both the City Council and City staff attended. No minimum quorum of Council Members is required for the meeting.)
 
==Compensation==
===Salary===
*Councilors make $18,000 a year and the mayor makes $20,000 a year; the maximum range allowed under state guidelines.<ref>https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title15.2/chapter14/section15.2-1414.6/</ref>
*On motion by [[Wes Bellamy]], seconded by [[Kathy Galvin]], Council voted 3-2 on [[December 3]], [[2018]] to authorize that a request be made of state legislators to amend the City Charter to allow City Council to set its own compensation and move the municipal elections from May to November. (Since 2006, municipal elections have been held the first Tuesday following the first Monday in November of odd-numbered years.)<ref>http://www.charlottesville.org/home/showdocument?id=63920</ref>
::<span style="color: green">FOR :</span> [[Nikuyah Walker]], [[Wes Bellamy]], [[Kathy Galvin]]  
::<span style="color: red">AGAINST :</span> [[Heather Hill]], [[Mike Signer]]
:On January 3, 2019, Delegate [[David J. Toscano]] (D-Charlottesville), said  that he would not introduce the changes in the upcoming General Assembly session, to start on January 9, 2019. “Introducing a charter that would allow the City Council to raise their salaries to an untapped amount is a non-starter in the General Assembly,” Toscano said.<ref>https://www.dailyprogress.com/news/local/city/toscano-bell-oppose-city-charter-changes-likely-dooming-salary-proposal/article_463f627c-0fb0-11e9-a2dc-abcb4f9febda.html</ref>
===Fringe benefits===
====Medical and dental insurance coverage====
In [[2012]], councilors voted to include themselves in the city’s employee medical and dental insurance coverage plans.  Employees and councilors who already had medical insurance from another source were allowed to opt out of coverage and receive a $500 annual stipend paid over the course of the year.  <ref>{{cite-progress|title= City Council approves pay raise, taking its salaries to maximum |url= https://www.dailyprogress.com/news/local/city-council-approves-pay-raise-taking-its-salaries-to-maximum/article_08bc9de8-2f3d-11e7-9cec-8bb7223daf74.html
|author=Chris Suarez|pageno=|printdate=May 2, 2017|publishdate=May 2, 2017|accessdate=October 25, 2019}}</ref>


Prior to the 1946 Charter, under the old Council-Mayor form, Councilor members were elected from the [[four wards]] to provide the legislative role as the governing body of the city and a Mayor elected-at-large to oversee the day-to-day government operations through a Chief Administrative Officer.
===Reimbursement of Expenses===
===Other compensation===
==Council travel and spending==
===City-issued credit cards===
Mayor [[Nikuyah Walker]] and Councilors [[Mike Signer]], [[Wes Bellamy]] and [[Kathy Galvin]] have city-issued credit cards. Councilor Heather Hill had a card, but the account was closed in December 2018; she had not used it during her tenure. The [[Daily Progress]] obtained statements for the City Council and council staff credit cards, from June 28, 2017, through June 27, 2019.<ref>{{cite web |title=City officials' credit card purchases include gift cards, meals with residents|url= https://www.dailyprogress.com/news/local/city-officials-credit-card-purchases-include-gift-cards-meals-with/article_18d74cd4-ccb1-5907-8aad-7f9f6584cb77.html|author= Nolan Stout |work=''Daily Progress''|publisher=Media General|location=|publishdate= July 21, 2019 |accessdate= September 2, 2019}}</ref> Based on documents obtained through the [[Virginia Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)]], city-issued credit cards statements indicate councilors spent a combined $29,876.  


===School Board===
::The Progress also obtained statements for city department heads from January 1, 2018, through June 27, 2019. In all of the city-issued credit card statements obtained by The Progress, former Clerk of Council [[Paige Rice]] spent the most on a city-issued credit card, at $40,846.<ref>{{cite web |title=City officials' credit card purchases include gift cards, meals with residents|url= https://www.dailyprogress.com/news/local/city-officials-credit-card-purchases-include-gift-cards-meals-with/article_18d74cd4-ccb1-5907-8aad-7f9f6584cb77.html|author= Nolan Stout |work=''Daily Progress''|publisher=Media General|location=|publishdate= July 21, 2019 |accessdate= September 2, 2019}}</ref>
The city has an elected school board, which oversees the operation of the K–12 public schools in the city.  


==Elections==
At their July 31, 2019 retreat, Council directed Charlottesville [[City Manager]] [[Tarron Richardson]] to study other localities and determine common budgets for council travel and spending. The consensus at the meeting was to set a limit of about $5,000 a month, with a slightly higher cap for the mayor.  Richardson plans to institute a stricter credit card policy for city employees. Whenever the Charlottesville’s employee policy and procedures manual is updated, Richarsdon plans to show the revised policy to the City Council and recommend the panel adopt it for councilors. The policy would move Charlottesville from a locality with one of the highest credit card spending limits in the state to one of the lowest.
Since 2006, municipal elections have been held the first Tuesday following the first Monday in November of odd-numbered years. Two open council seats (previously held by [[Kristin Szakos]] and [[Bob Fenwick]]) were up at the last municipal election held on [[November 7]], [[2017]]. Two new members of City Council were chosen by the city voters - [[Nikuyah Walker]] and [[Heather Hill]]; See also: [[2017 election]]. The November 5, 2019 municipal election will include three open seats on the city council - [[Kathy Galvin]], [[Mike Signer]] and [[Wes Bellamy]] have each declined to seek re-election. See also [[2019 election]].


==City Council Organizational Meeting==
The existing credit card policy, last revised in [[2015]], sets a single-purchase limit of $5,000 and monthly limit of $20,000. <ref>{{cite web |title= Richardson believes his credit card policy could have prevented city, Texas scandals|url= https://www.dailyprogress.com/news/local/richardson-believes-his-credit-card-policy-could-have-prevented-city/article_2a6edd59-3587-5c28-a892-e2bea2867a3c.html|author= Nolan Stout |work=''Daily Progress''|publisher=Media General|location=|publishdate= August 31, 2019 |accessdate= September 2, 2019}}</ref>
The first meeting of the '''2018-2019 City Council''' was held on January 2, 2018, [[Nikuyah Walker]] was elected as mayor, and [[Heather Hill]] became vice mayor. <ref>{{cite web|title=Walker selected as Charlottesville’s next Mayor after public discussion|url=http://www.cvilletomorrow.org/news/article/29461-mayor-nikuyah-walker/|author=Sean Tubbs|work=News Article|publisher=Charlottesville Tomorrow|location=|publishdate=January 3, 2018|accessdate=March 26, 2019}}</ref> City Council committee assignments were also determined at this meeting. (see below)


==Salary and Compensation==
==City Budget==
Currently, councilors make $18,000 a year and the mayor makes $20,000 a year. The range is the maximum allowed under state guidelines.  
The city's budget process operates by fiscal years running from July 1 to June 30 of the next year. The city charter gives responsibility for drafting an expense and capital budget to the city council, with recommendations from the [[city manager]]. The city's budget is made up of several parts. The operating budget is funded primarily through local property and sales taxes as set by the city council. The capital budget is used to fund major improvements to city property and infrastructure.


==Term of office==
===FY 2019 Adopted Budget===  
The terms of Council members are staggered so that three are elected in one year and two are elected two years later. At the first regular meeting of the Council after the election, Council members elect one of their own to serve as Mayor and one as Vice Mayor. Both are two-year terms. There are no limits to the consecutive terms in office.
*FY 2019 City Budget (July 1, 2018 to June 30, 2019): As adopted by the Council, the total General Fund Budget of '''$179,725,535''' represents a '''4.70% increase''' over FY 2018.<ref>{{cite web|title=City Manager's Budget Letter 2018|url=http://www.charlottesville.org/home/showdocument?id=61951|author= Office of the City Manager|work=|publisher=|location=|publishdate= July 1, 2018 |accessdate=}}</ref>


==Duties & Powers==
====Major Highlights of the FY 2019 Budget====
The City operates under the City Manager-Council form of government, with all legislative powers vested in a five-member Council elected at-large by all voters of the City for four-year terms. As the legislative body, the City Council is responsible for adopting all ordinances and resolutions, approving the annual operating and capital budgets, setting all tax rates, approving the City's multi-year Capital Improvements Plan (CIP), setting all user fees, making land use and zoning decisions, and establishing long range plans and policies.  
*$3.4 million budgeted in the CIP for the [[Charlottesville Affordable Housing Fund]], keeping the commitment to double the fund from FY 2017 levels, totaling $17.0 million in the 5-year plan.
*$106,400 budgeted for the Residents on the Job Program, managed by the [[Charlottesville Redevelopment and Housing Authority]] (CRHA).  This program intended to support low-income residents in apprenticeships to rehabilitate 23 public housing units and train residents for jobs in the construction field.
*[[Revenue Sharing Agreement | City/County Revenue Sharing]] decreasing by $159,125.
* Council established a fee schedule for Emergency Medical Services vehicle transport services. FY 2019 is the first full year of this program, and it is expected to generate $1.4 million in revenue.
*$500,000 is included in the Budget for the City Council [[Strategic Initiatives Fund]] for the [[African American Heritage Center]] at the Jefferson School.
*$100,000 to cover the City Council [[Strategic Initiatives Fund]] will be used to fund a pilot Participatory Budgeting initiative. However, this project was suspended and the money will be reprogrammed <ref>{{cite-progress|title=Charlottesville suspends participatory budgeting after resignations|url=https://www.dailyprogress.com/news/local/charlottesville-suspends-participatory-budgeting-after-resignations/article_5c098c3c-a26b-54fc-b7f0-c7764219e58d.html|author=Nolan Stout|pageno=|printdate=September 27, 2019|publishdate=September 27, 2019|accessdate=September 29, 2019}}</ref>
*$122,000 is budgeted for an [[Assistant City Attorney]] to provide support for the legal representation of City departments, commissions and elected officials.
*At a cost of approximately $115,000 the living wage will increase from $14.40 to $15.00 an hour for City employees, effective July 1, 2019.


==FY 2018 City's Annual Adopted Budget==
===FY 2020 Adopted Budget===
*(July 1, 2017 to June 30, 2018)<ref>http://www.charlottesville.org/home/showdocument?id=61955</ref>
*On Monday, April 8, [[2019]], Council approved the 2020 General Fund Budget of $188,863,920 - represents a 5.08% increase over FY 2019.<ref>https://www.charlottesville.org/home/showdocument?id=65539</ref>
*Total Operating Budget: $157,102,268
===City Schools Budget===
*Total City Budget: FY 2017-2018: $171,657,127<ref>http://www.charlottesville.org/home/showdocument?id=62017</ref>
Included in the Council's Adopted Budget for FY 2019-2020, City Schools will receive a local contribution of $57,366,623. Fiscal Year 2018 Per Pupil Expenditures (Local funds) $12,044, 6th highest in the state. [http://www.doe.virginia.gov/statistics_reports/supts_annual_report/2017-18/index.shtml Superintendent's Annual Report 2017-2018, Table 15.]
==FY 2019 City's Annual Adopted Budget==  
====Major Highlights of the FY 2020 Budget====
*(July 1, 2018 to June 30, 2019)<ref>http://www.charlottesville.org/home/showdocument?id=61955</ref>
*Effective July 1, 2019, the [[Meals Tax]] rate increased from 5% to 6%; the [[Transient Occupancy Tax]] (Lodging) rate increased from 7% to 8%.
*Total Operating Budget: $164,954,032
*Total City Budget: FY 2018-2019: $179,725,535<ref>http://www.charlottesville.org/home/showdocument?id=62017</ref>
==FY 2018 to FY 2019 Change==
*Total Operating Budget Increase: $7,851,764 (5.0%)
*Total City Budget Increase: $8,068,408  (4.7%)


==Rules and Procedures==
*Under the [[Revenue Sharing Agreement]] of [[May 24]], [[1982]], the sum of $14,199,607 will be received to the General Fund from the County of Albemarle.
At the conclusion of their annual retreat, held in February 2018, the City Council revised the [[Rules and Procedures for conducting council meetings]] in an effort "to help City Council conduct its affairs in a timely and efficient manner, while encouraging a robust and meaningful dialogue with members of the community." The revised [[Council Meeting Procedures]] was passed by Council on February 5, 2018. Council last made major changes to its meeting procedures in February 2016, when an effort was made to make meetings more formal.<ref>https://www.cvilletomorrow.org/articles/city-council-format-change</ref>


==City Officers==
see also [[Charlottesville Office of Budget and Performance Management]]
Among the officers and clerks who have served at the pleasure of the 2018-2019 Council Council:  
 
==<div id=City Officers>City Officers==
Among the officers and clerks who have served at the pleasure of the Charlottesville City Council (2018-2019):  
===[[City Manager]]===
===[[City Manager]]===
The City Manager, appointed by the City Council, acts as the City’s Chief Executive Officer. The City Council delegates broad administrative power to the City Manager subject to its review. Qualifications, powers and duties of the City Manager are provided for in the City Charter.  
The City Manager, appointed by the City Council, acts as the City’s Chief Executive Officer. The City Council delegates broad administrative power to the City Manager subject to its review. Qualifications, powers and duties of the City Manager are provided for in the City Charter.  
*[[Tarron Richardson]], (as of May 13, 2019)<ref name="resume">{{cite web|title=Packet for March 6, 2019 public interviews of managerial candidates|url=http://www.charlottesville.org/home/showdocument?id=64602|author=|work=|publisher=|location=|publishdate=March 5, 2019|accessdate=March 6, 2019}}</ref>  
*[[Tarron Richardson]], (as of May 13, 2019)<ref name="resume">{{cite web|title=Packet for March 6, 2019 public interviews of managerial candidates|url=http://www.charlottesville.org/home/showdocument?id=64602|author=|work=|publisher=|location=|publishdate=March 5, 2019|accessdate=March 6, 2019}}</ref>  
*[[Mike Murphy]], Interim (July 31, 2018 to May 13, 2019)
*[[Mike Murphy]], interim (July 31, 2018 to May 13, 2019)
*[[Maurice Jones]] (December 6, 2010 to July 31, 2018)
*[[Maurice Jones]] (December 6, 2010 to July 31, 2018)
===[[City Council Clerk]]===
===[[City Council Clerk]]===
*[[Kyna Thomas]] (as of January 28, 2019)
*[[Kyna Thomas]] (as of January 28, 2019)
*[[Brian Wheeler]], Interim (September 21, 2018 to January 28, 2019)  
*[[Brian Wheeler]], interim (October 5, 2018 to January 28, 2018)
*[[Paige Rice]] (May 1, 2010 to September 21, 2018)
*[[Brian Wheeler]], acting (September 21, 2018 to October 5, 2018)  
*[[Paige Rice]] (May 1, 2010 to October 5, 2018)
===[[City Finance Director]]===
===[[City Finance Director]]===
The Chief Operating Officer/Chief Financial Officer assists the City Manager in the operational and financial aspects of all City functions and coordinates  interdepartmental activities.
The Chief Operating Officer/Chief Financial Officer assists the City Manager in the operational and financial aspects of all City functions and coordinates  interdepartmental activities.
*[[Chris Cullinan]], (as of December 1, 2014)  
*[[Chris Cullinan]], (as of December 1, 2014)  
===City Assessor===
*[[Jeffrey S. Davis]] (appointed December 7, 2015)<ref>https://www.charlottesville.org/home/showdocument?id=36287</ref>
===[[City Attorney]]===
===[[City Attorney]]===
According to city communications director [[Brian Wheeler]], under the city charter, the council has an advisory role in appointing the city attorney.<ref>https://www.cvilletomorrow.org/articles/council-decides-on-process-for-hiring-city-attorne, Council decides on process for hiring city attorney, Charlottesville Tomorrow, Sean Tubbs, April 14, 2018, May 22, 2019</ref>
According to city communications director [[Brian Wheeler]], under the city charter, the council has an advisory role in appointing the city attorney.<ref>https://www.cvilletomorrow.org/articles/council-decides-on-process-for-hiring-city-attorne, Council decides on process for hiring city attorney, Charlottesville Tomorrow, Sean Tubbs, April 14, 2018, May 22, 2019</ref>
*[[John C. Blair]] (as of August 15, 2018)
*[[John C. Blair]] (as of August 15, 2018)
* [[Lisa Robertson]], Interim (January 2018 to August 15, 2018)
* [[Lisa Robertson]], interim (January 2018 to August 15, 2018)
*[[Craig Brown]] (2001 to January 2018)
*[[Craig Brown]] (2001 to January 2018)
===[[Charlottesville Police Chief|City Police Chief]]===
*[[RaShall M. Brackney]], (as of May 21, 2018)<ref>{{cite-progress|title=Brackney officially chosen as Charlottesville police chief|url=http://www.dailyprogress.com/news/local/city/brackney-officially-chosen-as-charlottesville-police-chief/article_76636d9e-5d4b-11e8-bea8-4b7360f5ca56.html|author=Chris Suarez|pageno=|printdate=May 22, 2018|publishdate=May 21, 2018|accessdate=May 28, 2018}}</ref>
*[[Thierry Dupuis]], interim (January 2, 2018 to May 21, 2018) <ref>{{cite-progress|title=Charlottesville names Thierry Dupuis interim police chief|url=https://www.dailyprogress.com/news/local/charlottesville-names-thierry-dupuis-interim-police-chief/article_a8c6bc26-eb24-11e7-9196-57bbe11f43a0.html|author=The Daily Progress staff|pageno=|printdate=Dec 27, 2017|publishdate=Dec 27, 2017|accessdate=October 25, 2019}}</ref>
*Deputy Chief [[Gary Pleasants]], temporarily (December 18, 2017 to January 2, 2018)<ref>{{cite-progress|title=Charlottesville names Thierry Dupuis interim police chief|url=https://www.dailyprogress.com/news/local/charlottesville-names-thierry-dupuis-interim-police-chief/article_a8c6bc26-eb24-11e7-9196-57bbe11f43a0.html|author=The Daily Progress staff|pageno=|printdate=Dec 27, 2017|publishdate=Dec 27, 2017|accessdate=October 25, 2019}}</ref>


===School Board Members===
The city has an elected at-large school board. Prior to 2006, members of the [[Charlottesville City School Board]] were appointed by the City Council.
===Appointment of advisory boards, committees and commissions===
===Appointment of advisory boards, committees and commissions===
'''''refer to Main Article: [[List of Boards and Commissions]]'''''
'''''refer to Main Article: [[List of Boards and Commissions]]'''''
==Adopted Budgets==
*FY 2019 City Budget (July 1, 2018 to June 30, 2019): As adopted by the City Council, the total General Fund Budget of '''$179,725,535''' represents a '''4.70% increase''' over FY 2018.<ref>{{cite web|title=City Manager's Budget Letter 2018|url=http://www.charlottesville.org/home/showdocument?id=61951|author= Office of the City Manager|work=|publisher=|location=|publishdate= July 1, 2018 |accessdate=}}</ref>
*Cities are authorized to issue general obligation bonds so long as total general indebtedness does not exceed ten percent of assessed value of taxable real property; no referendum required. There is no amount limitation imposed regarding revenue bonds. (Virginia Constitution, Article VII, §10)
===Major Highlights of the FY 2019 Budget===
*$3.4 million was budgeted in the CIP for the [[Charlottesville Affordable Housing Fund]], keeping the commitment to double the fund from FY 2017 levels, totaling $17.0 million in the 5-year plan.
*$106,400 budgeted for the Residents on the Job Program, managed by the [[Charlottesville Redevelopment and Housing Authority]] (CRHA).  This program intended to support low-income residents in apprenticeships to rehabilitate 23 public housing units and train residents for jobs in the construction field.
*[[Revenue Sharing Agreement | City/County Revenue Sharing]] decreasing by $159,125.
* City Council established a fee schedule for Emergency Medical Services vehicle transport services. FY 2019 is the first full year of this program, and it is expected to generate $1.4 million in revenue.
*$500,000 is included in the Budget for the City Council [[Strategic Initiatives Fund]] for the [[African American Heritage Center]] at the Jefferson School.
*$100,000 to cover the City Council [[Strategic Initiatives Fund]] will be used to fund a pilot [[Participatory Budgeting initiative]].
*$122,000 is budgeted for an [[Assistant City Attorney]] to provide support for the legal representation of City departments, commissions and elected officials.
*At a cost of approximately $115,000, living wage in FY 2019 will increase to $14.40, the first year of a two-year plan to raise the living wage to $15.00 per hour.   
see also [[Charlottesville Office of Budget and Performance Management]]
==Events==
*[[December 3]], [[2019]]: Councilors voted, 3-2, to allow the city to operate outside of state guidelines for mayor and councilor pay — $18,000 a year for councilors and $20,000 a year for mayor - and determine their own pay. The proposed changes to the current city charter included moving the municipal elections from May to November.<ref>https://www.dailyprogress.com/news/local/city/toscano-bell-oppose-city-charter-changes-likely-dooming-salary-proposal/article_463f627c-0fb0-11e9-a2dc-abcb4f9febda.html</ref>
:On motion by [[Wes Bellamy]], seconded by [[Kathy Galvin]], Council authorized that a request be made of state legislators to amend the City Charter so allow City Council to set its own compensation.<ref>http://www.charlottesville.org/home/showdocument?id=63920</ref>
::<span style="color: green">FOR :</span> [[Nikuyah Walker]], [[Wes Bellamy]], [[Kathy Galvin]]
::<span style="color: red">AGAINST :</span> [[Heather Hill]], [[Mike Signer]]
:::On January 3, 2019, Delegate [[David J. Toscano]] (D-Charlottesville), said  that he would not introduce the changes in the upcoming General Assembly session, to start on January 9, 2019. “Introducing a charter that would allow the City Council to raise their salaries to an untapped amount is a non-starter in the General Assembly,” Toscano said.<ref>https://www.dailyprogress.com/news/local/city/toscano-bell-oppose-city-charter-changes-likely-dooming-salary-proposal/article_463f627c-0fb0-11e9-a2dc-abcb4f9febda.html</ref>


===City Council Standing Committee assignments (2018 &ndash; 2019)===
===City Council Standing Committee assignments (2018 &ndash; 2019)===
{|class="wikitable mw-collapsible sortable"  
{| class="wikitable sortable"  
|-
|-
! Body  
! Body  
Line 170: Line 211:
| Virginia First Cities || 1st Friday, Quarterly (all day) || Galvin (Bellamy, alt)
| Virginia First Cities || 1st Friday, Quarterly (all day) || Galvin (Bellamy, alt)
|}
|}
The '''Planning and Coordination Council''' (PACC) is a forum for planning at the [[University of Virginia]], [[City of Charlottesville|Charlottesville]], and [[Albemarle County]] that has been in operation for over 30 years. On [[October 3]], [[2019]], the group met to consider disbanding itself and be replace by a working group of professionals and staff members established to address an expanded scope of work to include not only land use and planning, but also environmental issues like stormwater, solid waste, and sustainability, as well as infrastructure issues. <ref name="dis" /> Charlottesville City Council and the Albemarle Board of Supervisors agreed to do so on a one-year basis in early November 2019. <ref>{{cite-progress|title=County approves dissolution of regional planning council|url=https://www.dailyprogress.com/news/local/county-approves-dissolution-of-regional-planning-council/article_2672ed38-edd9-59c3-a183-e46c610ffb21.html|author=Allison Wrabel|pageno=A1|printdate=November 7, 2019|publishdate=November 7, 2019|accessdate=November 11, 2019}}</ref>
==City Council Regular Meetings==
==City Council Regular Meetings==
Regular council meetings are held in the City Hall, Council Chambers, on the first and third Monday of each month starting at 6:30 p.m., except on holidays or if decided by special resolution. Meetings are open to the public and televised on [[TV10|Cable Channel 10]], as well as streamed online.
Regular council meetings are held in the City Hall, Council Chambers, on the first and third Monday of each month starting at 6:30 p.m., except on holidays or if decided by special resolution. Meetings are open to the public and televised on [[TV10|Cable Channel 10]], as well as streamed online.


:On [[February 5]], [[2018]], the starting time of the regular meeting changed from 6:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. with the the council's adoption of revised [[Council Meeting Procedures]].
{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
! City Council Regular Meetings in 2018 !! Mtg. Start !! Mtg. End !! Duration/hrs.
|-
|  January 2, 2018 || 6:00 PM || 11:45 PM || 5:45
|-
|  January 16, 2018 || 6:00 PM || 9:49 PM || 3:49
|-
|  February 5, 2018 || 6:30 PM || 12:37 AM || 6:07
|-
|  February 20, 2018 || 6:30 PM || 12:25 AM || 5:55
|-
|  March 5, 2018 || 6:30 PM || 10:39 PM || 4:09
|-
|  March 19, 2018 || 6:30 PM || 12:33 AM || 6:03
|-
|  April 2, 2018 || 6:30 PM || 12:15 AM || 5:45
|-
|  April 16, 2018 || 6:30 PM || 1:05 AM || 6:35
|-
|  May 7, 2018 || 6:30 PM || 9:00 PM || 2:30
|-
|  May 21, 2018 || 6:30 PM || 12:27 AM || 5:57
|-
|  June 4, 2018 || 6:30 PM || 10:19 PM || 3:49
|-
|  June 18, 2018 || 6:30 PM || 11:03 PM || 4:33
|-
|  July 2, 2018 || 6:30 PM || 12:20 AM || 5:50
|-
|  July 16, 2018 || 6:30 PM || 12:02 AM || 5:32
|-
|  August 6, 2018 || 6:30 PM || 1:13 AM || 6:43
|-
|  August 20, 2018 || 6:30 PM || 12:08 AM || 5:38
|-
|  September 3, 2018 || 6:30 PM || 10:10 PM || 3:40
|-
|  September 17, 2018 || 6:30 PM || 9:17 PM || 2:47
|-
|  October 1, 2018 || 6:30 PM || 12:35 AM || 6:05
|-
|  October 15, 2018 || 6:30 PM || 11:38 PM || 5:08
|-
|  November 5, 2018 || 6:30 PM || 10:30 PM || 4:00
|-
|  November 19, 2018 || 6:32 PM || 12:02 AM || 5:30
|-
| December 3, 2018 || 6:30 PM || 11:26 PM || 4:56
|-
| December 17, 2018 || 6:31 PM || 11:46 PM || 5:15
|-
| '''Average run-time:'''  ||  ||  || '''5:05'''
|}
:The council adopted a revised [[Council Meeting Procedures]]. Beginning on [[February 5]], [[2018]], the starting time of the City Council's regular meeting changed from 6:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
{| class="wikitable"
! City Council Meeting Schedule 2019 !!  !!  !!
|-
| January 7, 2019 || April 1, 2019 || July 1, 2019 || October 7, 2019
|-
| ''Tuesday, January 22, 2019'' || April 15, 2019 || July 15, 2019 – no meeting * || October 21, 2019
|-
| February 4, 2019 || May 6, 2019 || August 5, 2019 || November 4, 2019
|-
| ''Tuesday, February 19, 2019'' || May 20, 2019 || August 19, 2019 || November 18, 2019
|-
| March 4, 2019 || June 3, 2019 || ''Tuesday, September 3, 2019'' || December 2, 2019
|-
| March 18, 2019 || June 17, 2019 || September 16, 2019 || December 16, 2019
|}
:''Italics indicate an adjusted date due to a holiday''
:Summer break - Council not meeting*
 
==Phone into meetings==
audio/video teleconference
 
===Matters by the Public===


===Community Matters===
====Community Matters, January 2, 2018====
At Council’s regularly scheduled meetings, two opportunities are to be afforded for members of the public to address Council as outlined in the [https://www.charlottesville.org/departments-and-services/departments-a-g/city-council/council-meeting-procedures Charlottesville City Council Meeting Procedures Passed by Council on February 5, 2018]:
''See also [https://www.charlottesville.org/home/showdocument?id=60199 2018 COUNCIL MINUTES ]''
:One Matters by the Public session will be offered early in the meeting, which shall be called "Community Matters" (formerly Matters by the Public) (Limited to 16 speakers, maximum).
{| class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
:A second Matters by the Public session will be offered as the final item on a regular meeting agenda.
! !! "Community Matters" public comments of January 2, 2018
The purpose of Matters by the Public is to offer individuals an opportunity to state a position, provide information to City Council, comment on the services, policies and affairs of the City, or present a matter that, in the speaker’s opinion, deserves the attention of City Council. Speakers may speak for a maximum of three minutes and are requested to begin by identifying their name and address.
|-
====January 2, 2018====
| 1 || Mr. Jones read rules for Matters by the Public.
{| class="wikitable collapsible collapsed"
|-
!  !! Community Matters from January 2, 2018
| 2 || [[Martin Killian]] said he opposes the plan for the Lambeth Field softball field. He cited noise, lighting levels after 9:00 p.m., and crowd volume as reasons for his objection. He asked Council to direct Mr. Ikefuna to send a letter of support to the Board of Visitors to postpone the decision due to the protests of the students and the neighbors living in adjacent neighborhoods.
|-
| 3 || [[Mary Carey]] said she has a petition regarding the naming of [[Emancipation Park]]. She said she is bringing the petition to the [[City Manager]]'s office next week. She said she wants the name [[Emancipation Park]] to be removed. She said she gave councilmember [[Wes Bellamy]] a copy of the petition last November.
|-
| 4 || [[Virginia Daugherty]] said she wants to see the City run in a productive and effective way. Council meetings need to settle down so the Council can get something done. She said our next mayor should be Ms. Galvin because of her experience. She asked Council to support the downtown businesses' request to delay reinstating the parking meters.
|-
|-
| 1 || [[Mary Carey]] said she wants the name “[[Emancipation Park]]” to be removed and is bringing a petition to the [[City Manager]]'s office next week; the same petition she gave to councilmember [[Wes Bellamy |Bellamy]] in [[November]] of [[2017]].  
| 5 || [[Blair Williamson]] (County resident), said she owns two businesses in Charlottesville, including a knitting shop on the Downtown Mall. She asked for beautification for the downtown area and a delay of the parking meter program restart.
|-
|-
| 2 || [[Virginia Daugherty]] said she wants to see the City run in a productive and effective way. Council meetings need to settle down so the Council can get something done.  
| 6 || [[Michael Payne]]: This is a new year, and we need to get to the root of [[structural inequality]] in the City, not cater to businesses and corporate interests. He recommended structural changes to the City and said participants will be involved in all City meetings and will be watching closely.
|-
|-
| 3 || [[Blair Williamson]] (County resident), said she owns two businesses in Charlottesville, including a knitting shop on the Downtown Mall. She asked for beautification for the downtown area and a delay of the parking meter program restart.
| 7 || [[Genevieve Keller]] said she is alarmed by the abusive situations that occur in Council Chambers. She called for mutual respect for all in the City. She encouraged a wide range of opportunities for public interactions. She asked for support for Ms. Galvin for mayor and outlined her reasoning.
|-
|-
| 4 || [[Michael Payne]]: This is a new year, and we need to get to the root of [[structural inequality]] in the City, not cater to businesses and corporate interests. He recommended structural changes to the City and said participants will be involved in all City meetings and will be watching closely.
| 8 || [[Dave Ghamandi]] (County resident), said “White men can’t preach civility when we live in a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Settler_colonialism settler colony], on land where they exterminated the indigenous population and enslaved millions of blacks.” He said he is against [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neoliberalism neo-liberal] [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trickle-down_economics trickle-down economic]] policies and [[trickle-down housing]] policies. He asked for a recovery package for [[Hardy Drive]], not the [[Downtown Mall]] or [[Main Street]] and called for a socialist future. ''Ghamandi’s words received snaps, claps and shouts of support from the audience''.
|-
|-
| 5 || [[Genevieve Keller]] said she is alarmed by the abusive situations that occur in Council Chambers. She called for mutual respect for all in the City. She encouraged a wide range of opportunities for public interactions. She asked for support for Ms. Galvin for mayor and outlined her reasoning. ''Kellers’s words received geers and bos from the audience''.
| 9 || [[Anne Hemenway]] requested that [[Kathy Galvin]] be considered for mayor. She called for real and permanent change, which can be slow and tedious. She called for [[Emancipation Park]] improvements to take place concurrent with improvements to the adjacent [[Central Library]].
|-
|-
| 6 || [[Dave Ghamandi]] (County resident), said “White men can’t preach civility when we live in a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Settler_colonialism settler colony], on land where they exterminated the indigenous population and enslaved millions of blacks.” He said he is against [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neoliberalism neo-liberal] [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trickle-down_economics trickle-down economic]] policies and [[trickle-down housing]] policies. He asked for a recovery package for [[Hardy Drive]], not the [[Downtown Mall]] or [[Main Street]] and called for a socialist future. ''Ghamandi’s words received snaps, claps and shouts of support from the audience''.
| 10 || [[James Hingeley]] asked for civility at Council meetings. He recounted what happened at the December 18 Council meeting and described an unfair application of the rules. He asked for honor and civility to return to Council meetings.
|-
|-
| 7 || [[Anne Hemenway]] called for [[Emancipation Park]] requested that Ms. Galvin be considered for mayor. She called for real and permanent change, which can be slow and tedious. She called for Emancipation Park improvements to take place concurrent with improvements to the adjacent Central Library.
| 11 || [[Joan Fenton]] said she has 1,200 signatures from [[Mudhouse]] customers asking to eliminate the parking meters. She said the Downtown Mall is an important economic engine for the entire City and asked that the parking meter program be suspended for a year to allow businesses to regain their economic footing.
|-
|-
| 8 || [[James Hingeley]] asked for civility at Council meetings. He recounted what happened at the December 18 Council meeting and described an unfair application of the rules. He asked for honor and civility to return to Council meetings.
| 12 || [[Todd Howard]], owner of [[És Café]], said parking meters are dangerous for businesses right now. He called for better lighting in the downtown area to provide safety for all. He said the more affordable downtown is, the more diverse it will be.
|-
|-
| 9 || [[Joan Fenton]] said she has 1,200 signatures from [[Mudhouse]] customers asking to eliminate the parking meters. She said the Downtown Mall is an important economic engine for the entire City and asked that the parking meter program be suspended for a year to allow businesses to regain their economic footing.
| 13 || [[Don Gathers]] said talents are equally distributed, but opportunities to utilize them are not. He called on Council to eliminate the pledge to the flag at the beginning of Council meetings and instead implement a moment of silence. He asked that Council stop the parking meter project. He said City residents should be given priority to speak at Council meetings, followed by County residents, and then residents of surrounding areas. He called for speakers to present identification to prove residency. He called for speaker time to be increased to five minutes. He recommended expenditures, including vouchers for affordable housing and solutions to homelessness. He called for a citizen's advocate office to handle complaints. He asked Council to remove the statues, and fix the permitting process.
|-
|-
| 10 || [[Don Gathers]] said talents are equally distributed, but opportunities to utilize them are not. He called on Council to eliminate the pledge to the flag at the beginning of Council meetings and instead implement a moment of silence. He asked that Council stop the parking meter project. He said City residents should be given priority to speak at Council meetings, followed by County residents, and then residents of surrounding areas. He called for speakers to present identification to prove residency. He called for speaker time to be increased to five minutes. He recommended expenditures, including vouchers for affordable housing and solutions to homelessness. He called for a citizen's advocate office to handle complaints. He asked Council to remove the statues, and fix the permitting process.
| 14 || [[Claire Tourney]] said she and [[Clay Tolbert]] work for a hospitality company and called for the parking meters to be disabled. She said the parking meters are a challenge due to poor communication and create an unsafe environment by forcing workers to park in unsafe locations and walk to and from their place of employment.
|-
|-
| 11 || [[Ludwig Kuttner]] asked Councilors to work together amongst themselves and also with community members to develop a vision for Charlottesville. He asked Council to focus on execution, and not continue to call for studies. He reflected on the condition of the downtown area when he arrived in 1981 and the transformation since then.  
| 15 || [[Ludwig Kuttner]] asked Councilors to work together amongst themselves and also with community members to develop a vision for Charlottesville. He asked Council to focus on execution, and not continue to call for studies. He reflected on the condition of the downtown area when he arrived in [[1981]] and the transformation since then.  
|-
|-
| || Councilmember [[Wes Bellamy]] asked for a moment of silence in memory of [[Molly Miller]].https://www.charlottesville.org/home/showdocument?id=60199
| 16 || Councilmember [[Wes Bellamy]] asked for a moment of silence in memory of [[Molly Miller]].
|}
====Community Matters, January 16, 2018====
''See also [https://www.charlottesville.org/home/showdocument?id=60337 2018 COUNCIL MINUTES]''
{| class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
!  !! "Community Matters" public comments of January 16, 2018
|-
| 1 || [[Dave Ghamandi]] (Albemarle County) said people will not be civil when fighting against profit-making, racism and militarism. He said [https://www.seattlelwv.org/uploads/1/1/7/8/117877553/voterfeb18.pdf budgets are moral documents], and he called for a massive investment in jobs, housing and peace. He called for an investment in housing controlled by community land trusts.
|-
| 2 || [[Michael Payne]] said he saw a news story on NBC 29 about [[Crescent Halls]] regarding a burst pipe and sewage on the floor. He compared monetary allocations for public housing to funding for other projects throughout the City. He asked Council to consider [[affordable housing]] and the needs of vulnerable citizens when developing the budget.
|-
| 3 || [[Jalane Schmidt]] said she found the transparency of the January 2 Council meeting refreshing, and she encouraged Council to continue with that level of transparency. She said people are being uncivil because they feel the City is being sold out from under them to the highest bidder. People who have been calling for a return to civility have wider access to elected officials than the average member of the community. She asked whose names are on the list for the Council retreat at Morven Farms.
|-
| 4 || [[Don Gathers]] described the reasons why City Council meetings have recently experienced anarchy, and why he believes it will continue. He said civility is shrouded for the time being and called on Council to listen to all members of the community equally.
|-
| 5 || [[Matthew Slaats]] (Crozet resident) advocated for [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Participatory_budgeting participatory budgeting] to rebuild trust.  He also said the City needs to rethink how the [[Comprehensive Plan]] moves forward.  He called on Council to create a truly public process, and create a plan that addresses the community's needs.
|-
| 6 || [[Jojo Robertson]] said there is a problem at [[Crescent Halls]], and she said the Facebook page she started called "Caring for the Cville Community" has been addressing the same issues over the past two and a half years. She said a Council cannot demand respect, but instead has to earn trust. She asked Council to revert to the old rules.
|-
| 7 || [[Paul Long]] spoke on public transportation. He said City buses should run during the holidays. He called for bus routes to run every 20 minutes to encourage use of public transportation. He said this issue is more important now that Charlottesville is growing.
|-
| 8 || [[Mary Carey]] said the issue at [[Crescent Halls]] is active and needs to be addressed. She recounted a comment during a recent [[Charlottesville Redevelopment and Housing Authority | CRHA]] meeting that she considered offensive.
|-
| 9 || [[Peter Krebs]] thanked the County for acquiring park land for [[Vista Run]]. He described what the event regarding 5th/Ridge/McIntire will cover and encouraged community members to attend.
|-
| 10 || [[Nancy Carpenter]] thanked [[Nikuyah Walker]] for her recent representation on [https://abc.go.com/shows/the-view/episode-guide/2018-01/15-monday-january-15-2018 The View].  She said she was putting her fist in the air in solidarity with [[Mary Carey]]. She called on the City to repair [[Crescent Halls]], and at the least, address major maintenance issues while waiting for a permanent resolution.
|}
|}
====January 16, 2018====
#[[Dave Ghamandi]] (Albemarle County) said people will not be civil when fighting against profit-making, racism and militarism. He said [https://www.seattlelwv.org/uploads/1/1/7/8/117877553/voterfeb18.pdf budgets are moral documents], and he called for a massive investment in jobs, housing and peace. He called for an investment in housing controlled by community land trusts.
#[[Michael Payne]] said he saw a news story on NBC 29 about [[Crescent Halls]] regarding a burst pipe and sewage on the floor. He compared monetary allocations for public housing to funding for other projects throughout the City. He asked Council to consider [[affordable housing]] and the needs of vulnerable citizens when developing the budget. Ms.
#[[Jalane Schmidt]] said she found the transparency of the January 2 Council meeting refreshing, and she encouraged Council to continue with that level of transparency. She said people are being uncivil because they feel the City is being sold out from under them to the highest bidder. People who have been calling for a return to civility have wider access to elected officials than the average member of the community. She asked whose names are on the list for the Council retreat at Morven Farms.
#[[Don Gathers]] described the reasons why City Council meetings have recently experienced anarchy, and why he believes it will continue. He said civility is shrouded for the time being and called on Council to listen to all members of the community equally.
#[[Matthew Slaats]] (Crozet resident) advocated for participatory budgeting to rebuild trust.  He also said the City needs to rethink how the [[Comprehensive Plan]] moves forward.  He called on Council to create a truly public process, and create a plan that addresses the community's needs.
#[[Jojo Robertson]] said there is a problem at [[Crescent Halls]], and she said the Facebook page she started called "Caring for the Cville Community" has been addressing the same issues over the past two and a half years. She said a Council cannot demand respect, but instead has to earn trust. She asked Council to revert to the old rules.
#[[Paul Long]] spoke on public transportation. He said City buses should run during the holidays. He called for bus routes to run every 20 minutes to encourage use of public transportation. He said this issue is more important now that Charlottesville is growing.
#[[Mary Carey]] said the issue at [[Crescent Halls]] is active and needs to be addressed. She recounted a comment during a recent CRHA meeting that she considered offensive.
#[[Peter Krebs]] thanked the County for acquiring park land for [[Vista Run]]. He described what the event regarding 5th/Ridge/McIntire will cover and encouraged community members to attend.
#[[Nancy Carpenter]] thanked Ms. Walker for her recent representation on [https://abc.go.com/shows/the-view/episode-guide/2018-01/15-monday-january-15-2018 The View]].  She said she was putting her fist in the air in solidarity with Ms. Mary Carey. She called on the City to repair [[Crescent Halls]], and at the least, address major maintenance issues while waiting for a permanent resolution.
==City Council Work Sessions==
==City Council Work Sessions==
===2018 City Council Work Sessions===
===2018 City Council Work Sessions===
===2019 City Council Work Sessions===
===2019 City Council Work Sessions===
*January 23: Joint Worksession with Charlottesville School Board.  
*January 23: Joint Worksession with Charlottesville School Board.  
*January 30: Joint Worksession with the Albemarle Board of Supervisors.
*January 30: Joint Worksession with the Albemarle Board of Supervisors.
*January 31: Budget Worksession.
*January 31: Budget Worksession.
=="Our Town" meetings==
==Council's Vision Statement==
The [[Charlottesville City Council, 2017-2018 | 2017-2018 City Council]] added the "[[Town Hall meeting]]" public forum to their revised [[2018 Council Meeting Rules and Procedures | Council Meeting Rules and Procedures]] as passed by Council on [[February 5]], [[2018]].
2025 Charlottesville: A Great Place to Live for All of Our Citizens. A leader in innovation, environmental sustainability, and social and economic justice, and healthy race relations; Flexible and progressive in anticipating and responding to the needs of our citizens; Cultural and creative capital of Central Virginia; United community that treasures diversity.<ref>https://www.charlottesville.org/home/showdocument?id=20073</ref>
 
:The [[Charlottesville City Council, 2009-2010 | 2009-2010 City Council]] approved a community initiative called "Our Town Charlottesville" intended to bring town hall style meetings to City neighborhoods so that residents would be encouraged to discuss emerging issues and voice concerns and preferences about their respective communities. <ref>http://www.charlottesville.org/departments-and-services/departments-a-g/city-council/our-town-charlottesville</ref>
 
== History of City Charters and Amendments==
*In the [[1916 election]], the Commission Plan was defeated by a margin of 257 to 178. Voters of Charlottesville chose not to adopt the new idea of municipal government known as the [[Commission-Manager]] form fast being adopted throughout the different states. (Staunton, Virginia created the council-manager form of government in 1908, which now serves as a standard form of government across the United States.)
 
*By referendum in the [[1920 election | Election]] held on December 17, 1920, a slim majority of voters voted to request their local member of the General Assembly submit a bill granting the city a new form of government as provided by the [[1919 Code of Virginia]] known as the "[[Modified Commission Form]]". The General Assembly approved a new charter for the city on March 24, 1922. This new form of government centralizes legislative authority and responsibility in the elected City Council with administrative authority and responsibility to be held by the City Manager, who was to be appointed by the City Council. The first [[Charlottesville City Council, 1922-1924 | City Council]] under this new form of government took office on [[September 1]], [[1922]] and appointed [[B. A. Bennett]], from [[Hill City]], as City Manager the same day. 
 
*In [[2004]], the [[Charlottesville City Council, 2004-2005 | 2004-2005 City Council]] moved the municipal elections from May to November.<ref>https://www.cvilletomorrow.org/articles/future-of-charlottesville-governance</ref>. The first November elections was held on [[2007 elections |November 6, 2007]], new members of [[Charlottesville City Council, 2008-2009 | 2008-2009 City Council]] took office on January 1, 2008.<ref>https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title15.2/chapter2/section15.2-201/</ref>


{{stub}}
{{stub}}

Revision as of 22:39, 8 February 2020

See Main Article: City Council
See also: List of City Councilors

The two-year term of the Charlottesville City Council (2018-2019) ran from January 1, 2018 to December 31, 2019. This council was preceded by the Charlottesville City Council (2016-2017) and was succeeded by the Charlottesville City Council (2020-2021).

Under the current form of government, the City Council was composed of five members, including the Council President (mayor). Each member was elected at-large, by voters to four-year, staggered terms, with elections held every two years.

From of Government

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​The City of Charlottesville operates under the Council-Manager form of government as granted by the Code of Virginia and the City Charter. From within council, by simple majority vote, the President (called mayor) and the Vice-president (called vice-mayor) of the Council are elected at the first regular meeting of the new term. The City Manager, among the City Officers appointed by the Council, acts as the Chief Executive Officer. The City Manager is responsible for day-to-day operations, as well as carrying out policy decisions made by the City Council.

City population

Population Census (April 1, 2010): 43,475.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau Quickfacts, the estimated population in 2018 was 48,117, which represents a 10.67% population growth since the last census.
The area within the city limits was 10.27 square miles, giving it a population density of about 4,600 people per square mile.

Elections

Two open council seats (previously held by Kristin Szakos and Bob Fenwick) were up at the last municipal election held on November 7, 2017; two new members were chosen by the city voters - Nikuyah Walker and Heather Hill; See also: 2017 election. The November 5, 2019 municipal election will include three open seats on the city council. (Incumbent Kathy Galvin, Mike Signer and Wes Bellamy each declined to seek re-election.) See also 2019 election.

In 2004, the 2004-2005 City Council moved the municipal elections from May to November by passing an ordinance.[1]. The first November elections was held on November 6, 2007, new members of 2008-2009 City Council took office on January 1, 2008.[2]

City Council Organizational Meeting, January 1, 2018

Council organizational meetings are held every two years at the first regular meeting in January after the municipal election.

  • At the first meeting of the 2018-2019 City Council term, the council elected Nikuyah Walker as mayor, and Heather Hill as vice-mayor. [3] City Council committee assignments were also determined at this organizational meeting. (see below)

Issues in the city

  • March 30, 2018 – Councilor Bellamy told the Jefferson Literary and Debating Society that he would call upon Council to switch to a system where the mayor is directly elected by the voters, rather than current system in which the mayor is internally appointed by the City Council every two years. Bellamy said this transition would require a change to the City’s charter - but did not specify whether he believes the amendment would grant the mayor additional powers and responsibilities[6]
  • December 3, 2018 – On motion by Wes Bellamy, seconded by Kathy Galvin, Council voted 3-2 to authorize that a request be made of state legislators to grant amendments to the City Charter to allow City Council to set its own compensation and officially move the City's municipal elections from May to November. [8]
  • April 8, 2019 – With the hope of directing the tax increases towards addressing the city's affordable housing needs, Councilors approved an increase in the lodging tax and voted to increase in the meals tax from 5% to 6%. Council vote was 4:1, without the support of Councilor Mike Signer. The increases went into effect Monday, July 1, 2019.

Council Meeting Rules and Procedures

Phone into meetings

audio/video teleconference

Matters by the Public & Community Matters

Under the Rules and Procedures for conducting council meetings two opportunities are to be afforded for members of the public to address Council as outlined in the Charlottesville City Council Meeting Procedures Passed by Council on February 5, 2018:

  1. Matters by the Public session will be offered early in the meeting, which shall be called Community Matters (formerly Matters by the Public) (Limited to 16 speakers, maximum).
  2. Matters by the Public session will be offered as the final item on a regular meeting agenda. The purpose of Matters by the Public is to offer individuals an opportunity to state a position, provide information to City Council, comment on the services, policies and affairs of the City, or present a matter that, in the speaker’s opinion, deserves the attention of City Council. Speakers may speak for a maximum of three minutes and are requested to begin by identifying their name and address.

"Our Town" meetings

Council added the "Town Hall meeting" public forum to their revised Council Meeting Rules and Procedures as passed by Council on February 5, 2018. Council approved a community initiative called "Our Town Charlottesville" intended to bring town hall style meetings to City neighborhoods so that residents would be encouraged to discuss emerging issues and voice concerns and preferences about their respective communities. [11]

As of October 2019, Council has not held a Town Hall meeting. [12] (The last Town Meeting was held on January 12, 2017. Members of both the City Council and City staff attended. No minimum quorum of Council Members is required for the meeting.)

Compensation

Salary

  • Councilors make $18,000 a year and the mayor makes $20,000 a year; the maximum range allowed under state guidelines.[13]
  • On motion by Wes Bellamy, seconded by Kathy Galvin, Council voted 3-2 on December 3, 2018 to authorize that a request be made of state legislators to amend the City Charter to allow City Council to set its own compensation and move the municipal elections from May to November. (Since 2006, municipal elections have been held the first Tuesday following the first Monday in November of odd-numbered years.)[14]
FOR : Nikuyah Walker, Wes Bellamy, Kathy Galvin
AGAINST : Heather Hill, Mike Signer
On January 3, 2019, Delegate David J. Toscano (D-Charlottesville), said that he would not introduce the changes in the upcoming General Assembly session, to start on January 9, 2019. “Introducing a charter that would allow the City Council to raise their salaries to an untapped amount is a non-starter in the General Assembly,” Toscano said.[15]

Fringe benefits

Medical and dental insurance coverage

In 2012, councilors voted to include themselves in the city’s employee medical and dental insurance coverage plans. Employees and councilors who already had medical insurance from another source were allowed to opt out of coverage and receive a $500 annual stipend paid over the course of the year. [16]

Reimbursement of Expenses

Other compensation

Council travel and spending

City-issued credit cards

Mayor Nikuyah Walker and Councilors Mike Signer, Wes Bellamy and Kathy Galvin have city-issued credit cards. Councilor Heather Hill had a card, but the account was closed in December 2018; she had not used it during her tenure. The Daily Progress obtained statements for the City Council and council staff credit cards, from June 28, 2017, through June 27, 2019.[17] Based on documents obtained through the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), city-issued credit cards statements indicate councilors spent a combined $29,876.

The Progress also obtained statements for city department heads from January 1, 2018, through June 27, 2019. In all of the city-issued credit card statements obtained by The Progress, former Clerk of Council Paige Rice spent the most on a city-issued credit card, at $40,846.[18]

At their July 31, 2019 retreat, Council directed Charlottesville City Manager Tarron Richardson to study other localities and determine common budgets for council travel and spending. The consensus at the meeting was to set a limit of about $5,000 a month, with a slightly higher cap for the mayor. Richardson plans to institute a stricter credit card policy for city employees. Whenever the Charlottesville’s employee policy and procedures manual is updated, Richarsdon plans to show the revised policy to the City Council and recommend the panel adopt it for councilors. The policy would move Charlottesville from a locality with one of the highest credit card spending limits in the state to one of the lowest.

The existing credit card policy, last revised in 2015, sets a single-purchase limit of $5,000 and monthly limit of $20,000. [19]

City Budget

The city's budget process operates by fiscal years running from July 1 to June 30 of the next year. The city charter gives responsibility for drafting an expense and capital budget to the city council, with recommendations from the city manager. The city's budget is made up of several parts. The operating budget is funded primarily through local property and sales taxes as set by the city council. The capital budget is used to fund major improvements to city property and infrastructure.

FY 2019 Adopted Budget

  • FY 2019 City Budget (July 1, 2018 to June 30, 2019): As adopted by the Council, the total General Fund Budget of $179,725,535 represents a 4.70% increase over FY 2018.[20]

Major Highlights of the FY 2019 Budget

  • $3.4 million budgeted in the CIP for the Charlottesville Affordable Housing Fund, keeping the commitment to double the fund from FY 2017 levels, totaling $17.0 million in the 5-year plan.
  • $106,400 budgeted for the Residents on the Job Program, managed by the Charlottesville Redevelopment and Housing Authority (CRHA). This program intended to support low-income residents in apprenticeships to rehabilitate 23 public housing units and train residents for jobs in the construction field.
  • City/County Revenue Sharing decreasing by $159,125.
  • Council established a fee schedule for Emergency Medical Services vehicle transport services. FY 2019 is the first full year of this program, and it is expected to generate $1.4 million in revenue.
  • $500,000 is included in the Budget for the City Council Strategic Initiatives Fund for the African American Heritage Center at the Jefferson School.
  • $100,000 to cover the City Council Strategic Initiatives Fund will be used to fund a pilot Participatory Budgeting initiative. However, this project was suspended and the money will be reprogrammed [21]
  • $122,000 is budgeted for an Assistant City Attorney to provide support for the legal representation of City departments, commissions and elected officials.
  • At a cost of approximately $115,000 the living wage will increase from $14.40 to $15.00 an hour for City employees, effective July 1, 2019.

FY 2020 Adopted Budget

  • On Monday, April 8, 2019, Council approved the 2020 General Fund Budget of $188,863,920 - represents a 5.08% increase over FY 2019.[22]

City Schools Budget

Included in the Council's Adopted Budget for FY 2019-2020, City Schools will receive a local contribution of $57,366,623. Fiscal Year 2018 Per Pupil Expenditures (Local funds) $12,044, 6th highest in the state. Superintendent's Annual Report 2017-2018, Table 15.

Major Highlights of the FY 2020 Budget

see also Charlottesville Office of Budget and Performance Management

City Officers

Among the officers and clerks who have served at the pleasure of the Charlottesville City Council (2018-2019):

City Manager

The City Manager, appointed by the City Council, acts as the City’s Chief Executive Officer. The City Council delegates broad administrative power to the City Manager subject to its review. Qualifications, powers and duties of the City Manager are provided for in the City Charter.

City Council Clerk

City Finance Director

The Chief Operating Officer/Chief Financial Officer assists the City Manager in the operational and financial aspects of all City functions and coordinates interdepartmental activities.

City Assessor

City Attorney

According to city communications director Brian Wheeler, under the city charter, the council has an advisory role in appointing the city attorney.[25]

City Police Chief

School Board Members

The city has an elected at-large school board. Prior to 2006, members of the Charlottesville City School Board were appointed by the City Council.

Appointment of advisory boards, committees and commissions

refer to Main Article: List of Boards and Commissions

City Council Standing Committee assignments (2018 – 2019)

Body Meeting Time Councilor
Albemarle/Charlottesville Regional Jail Authority [29] 2nd Thursday of every other month at 12:30 p.m. Bellamy
Audit Committee (annually) as needed Signer
Audit Committee (annually) as needed Hill
Charlottesville Area Transit (CAT) Advisory Board [30] 2nd Tuesday, 8:30am-10am Walker
Charlottesville Community Scholarship Program [31] 3rd Wednesday, 8-9am Bellamy
Greater Charlottesville Development Corporation (GCADC) tbd Bellamy
Charlottesville Redevelopment and Housing Authority (CRHA) [32] 4th Monday, 6:00pm Bellamy
Darden Towe Park Board annually in September / as needed Signer
Darden Towe Park Board annually in September / as needed Hill
Historic Resources Committee 2nd Mondays, 11am-12pm, NDS Conf. Room Hill [33]
Housing Advisory Committee [34] Every 3rd Wednesday, 12pm Hill
Jefferson Area Board for Aging (JABA) 4th Monday, noon Hill [35]
Jefferson Area Community Criminal Justice Board [36] 2nd Monday of every other month (Jan, Mar, May, Jul, Sep & Nov) at 5:00 p.m. [37] Walker
LEAP Advisory Board tbd Signer
Metropolitan Planning Organization Policy Board 3rd Wednesday of every month at 4:00 p.m [38] Galvin
Metropolitan Planning Organization Policy Board 3rd Wednesday of every month at 4:00 p.m [39] Signer
Mobilization for Action through Planning and Partnerships (MAPP) twice annually, Tuesday 8:30-10am Walker
Piedmont Housing Alliance – Friendship Court Committee [40] as needed (generally meets on the fourth Thursday of every month) [41] Galvin [42]
Piedmont Workforce Network (PWN) Council Quarterly, time varies Walker
Planning and Coordination Council (PACC) (typically Mayor & Vice Mayor) Quarterly, 3rd Thursday of the month (Feb, May, Aug, & Nov) at 2:00 p.m. [43] Walker
Planning and Coordination Council (PACC) (typically Mayor & Vice Mayor) Quarterly, 3rd Thursday of the month (Feb, May, Aug, & Nov) at 2:00 p.m. [44] Hill
Retirement Commission 4th Wednesday of every month at 8:30 a.m. [45] Hill
Rivanna River Basin Commission (RRBC) [46] 1st Tuesday, 11:30am-12:30pm (FY19 Quarterly) [47] Signer
Rivanna Solid Waste Authority (RSWA) [48] 4th Monday of every month at 2pm [49] Galvin [50]
Rivanna Water and Sewer Authority (RWSA) 4th Tuesday of every month at 2:15pm (RWSA) [51] Galvin [52]
Hydraulic Planning Advisory Panel (typically Mayor) [53] 2nd/4th Thursday, 2-4pm Galvin [54]
School Capital Projects as needed Bellamy
School Capital Projects as needed Walker
Social Services Advisory Board [55] 4th Monday of every month at 12:00 p.m. Walker
Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission [56] 1st Thursday of every month at 7:00 p.m. Signer
Virginia First Cities 1st Friday, Quarterly (all day) Galvin (Bellamy, alt)

The Planning and Coordination Council (PACC) is a forum for planning at the University of Virginia, Charlottesville, and Albemarle County that has been in operation for over 30 years. On October 3, 2019, the group met to consider disbanding itself and be replace by a working group of professionals and staff members established to address an expanded scope of work to include not only land use and planning, but also environmental issues like stormwater, solid waste, and sustainability, as well as infrastructure issues. [57] Charlottesville City Council and the Albemarle Board of Supervisors agreed to do so on a one-year basis in early November 2019. [58]

City Council Regular Meetings

Regular council meetings are held in the City Hall, Council Chambers, on the first and third Monday of each month starting at 6:30 p.m., except on holidays or if decided by special resolution. Meetings are open to the public and televised on Cable Channel 10, as well as streamed online.

City Council Regular Meetings in 2018 Mtg. Start Mtg. End Duration/hrs.
January 2, 2018 6:00 PM 11:45 PM 5:45
January 16, 2018 6:00 PM 9:49 PM 3:49
February 5, 2018 6:30 PM 12:37 AM 6:07
February 20, 2018 6:30 PM 12:25 AM 5:55
March 5, 2018 6:30 PM 10:39 PM 4:09
March 19, 2018 6:30 PM 12:33 AM 6:03
April 2, 2018 6:30 PM 12:15 AM 5:45
April 16, 2018 6:30 PM 1:05 AM 6:35
May 7, 2018 6:30 PM 9:00 PM 2:30
May 21, 2018 6:30 PM 12:27 AM 5:57
June 4, 2018 6:30 PM 10:19 PM 3:49
June 18, 2018 6:30 PM 11:03 PM 4:33
July 2, 2018 6:30 PM 12:20 AM 5:50
July 16, 2018 6:30 PM 12:02 AM 5:32
August 6, 2018 6:30 PM 1:13 AM 6:43
August 20, 2018 6:30 PM 12:08 AM 5:38
September 3, 2018 6:30 PM 10:10 PM 3:40
September 17, 2018 6:30 PM 9:17 PM 2:47
October 1, 2018 6:30 PM 12:35 AM 6:05
October 15, 2018 6:30 PM 11:38 PM 5:08
November 5, 2018 6:30 PM 10:30 PM 4:00
November 19, 2018 6:32 PM 12:02 AM 5:30
December 3, 2018 6:30 PM 11:26 PM 4:56
December 17, 2018 6:31 PM 11:46 PM 5:15
Average run-time: 5:05
The council adopted a revised Council Meeting Procedures. Beginning on February 5, 2018, the starting time of the City Council's regular meeting changed from 6:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
City Council Meeting Schedule 2019
January 7, 2019 April 1, 2019 July 1, 2019 October 7, 2019
Tuesday, January 22, 2019 April 15, 2019 July 15, 2019 – no meeting * October 21, 2019
February 4, 2019 May 6, 2019 August 5, 2019 November 4, 2019
Tuesday, February 19, 2019 May 20, 2019 August 19, 2019 November 18, 2019
March 4, 2019 June 3, 2019 Tuesday, September 3, 2019 December 2, 2019
March 18, 2019 June 17, 2019 September 16, 2019 December 16, 2019
Italics indicate an adjusted date due to a holiday
Summer break - Council not meeting*

Phone into meetings

audio/video teleconference

Matters by the Public

Community Matters, January 2, 2018

See also 2018 COUNCIL MINUTES

"Community Matters" public comments of January 2, 2018
1 Mr. Jones read rules for Matters by the Public.
2 Martin Killian said he opposes the plan for the Lambeth Field softball field. He cited noise, lighting levels after 9:00 p.m., and crowd volume as reasons for his objection. He asked Council to direct Mr. Ikefuna to send a letter of support to the Board of Visitors to postpone the decision due to the protests of the students and the neighbors living in adjacent neighborhoods.
3 Mary Carey said she has a petition regarding the naming of Emancipation Park. She said she is bringing the petition to the City Manager's office next week. She said she wants the name Emancipation Park to be removed. She said she gave councilmember Wes Bellamy a copy of the petition last November.
4 Virginia Daugherty said she wants to see the City run in a productive and effective way. Council meetings need to settle down so the Council can get something done. She said our next mayor should be Ms. Galvin because of her experience. She asked Council to support the downtown businesses' request to delay reinstating the parking meters.
5 Blair Williamson (County resident), said she owns two businesses in Charlottesville, including a knitting shop on the Downtown Mall. She asked for beautification for the downtown area and a delay of the parking meter program restart.
6 Michael Payne: This is a new year, and we need to get to the root of structural inequality in the City, not cater to businesses and corporate interests. He recommended structural changes to the City and said participants will be involved in all City meetings and will be watching closely.
7 Genevieve Keller said she is alarmed by the abusive situations that occur in Council Chambers. She called for mutual respect for all in the City. She encouraged a wide range of opportunities for public interactions. She asked for support for Ms. Galvin for mayor and outlined her reasoning.
8 Dave Ghamandi (County resident), said “White men can’t preach civility when we live in a settler colony, on land where they exterminated the indigenous population and enslaved millions of blacks.” He said he is against neo-liberal trickle-down economic] policies and trickle-down housing policies. He asked for a recovery package for Hardy Drive, not the Downtown Mall or Main Street and called for a socialist future. Ghamandi’s words received snaps, claps and shouts of support from the audience.
9 Anne Hemenway requested that Kathy Galvin be considered for mayor. She called for real and permanent change, which can be slow and tedious. She called for Emancipation Park improvements to take place concurrent with improvements to the adjacent Central Library.
10 James Hingeley asked for civility at Council meetings. He recounted what happened at the December 18 Council meeting and described an unfair application of the rules. He asked for honor and civility to return to Council meetings.
11 Joan Fenton said she has 1,200 signatures from Mudhouse customers asking to eliminate the parking meters. She said the Downtown Mall is an important economic engine for the entire City and asked that the parking meter program be suspended for a year to allow businesses to regain their economic footing.
12 Todd Howard, owner of És Café, said parking meters are dangerous for businesses right now. He called for better lighting in the downtown area to provide safety for all. He said the more affordable downtown is, the more diverse it will be.
13 Don Gathers said talents are equally distributed, but opportunities to utilize them are not. He called on Council to eliminate the pledge to the flag at the beginning of Council meetings and instead implement a moment of silence. He asked that Council stop the parking meter project. He said City residents should be given priority to speak at Council meetings, followed by County residents, and then residents of surrounding areas. He called for speakers to present identification to prove residency. He called for speaker time to be increased to five minutes. He recommended expenditures, including vouchers for affordable housing and solutions to homelessness. He called for a citizen's advocate office to handle complaints. He asked Council to remove the statues, and fix the permitting process.
14 Claire Tourney said she and Clay Tolbert work for a hospitality company and called for the parking meters to be disabled. She said the parking meters are a challenge due to poor communication and create an unsafe environment by forcing workers to park in unsafe locations and walk to and from their place of employment.
15 Ludwig Kuttner asked Councilors to work together amongst themselves and also with community members to develop a vision for Charlottesville. He asked Council to focus on execution, and not continue to call for studies. He reflected on the condition of the downtown area when he arrived in 1981 and the transformation since then.
16 Councilmember Wes Bellamy asked for a moment of silence in memory of Molly Miller.

Community Matters, January 16, 2018

See also 2018 COUNCIL MINUTES

"Community Matters" public comments of January 16, 2018
1 Dave Ghamandi (Albemarle County) said people will not be civil when fighting against profit-making, racism and militarism. He said budgets are moral documents, and he called for a massive investment in jobs, housing and peace. He called for an investment in housing controlled by community land trusts.
2 Michael Payne said he saw a news story on NBC 29 about Crescent Halls regarding a burst pipe and sewage on the floor. He compared monetary allocations for public housing to funding for other projects throughout the City. He asked Council to consider affordable housing and the needs of vulnerable citizens when developing the budget.
3 Jalane Schmidt said she found the transparency of the January 2 Council meeting refreshing, and she encouraged Council to continue with that level of transparency. She said people are being uncivil because they feel the City is being sold out from under them to the highest bidder. People who have been calling for a return to civility have wider access to elected officials than the average member of the community. She asked whose names are on the list for the Council retreat at Morven Farms.
4 Don Gathers described the reasons why City Council meetings have recently experienced anarchy, and why he believes it will continue. He said civility is shrouded for the time being and called on Council to listen to all members of the community equally.
5 Matthew Slaats (Crozet resident) advocated for participatory budgeting to rebuild trust. He also said the City needs to rethink how the Comprehensive Plan moves forward. He called on Council to create a truly public process, and create a plan that addresses the community's needs.
6 Jojo Robertson said there is a problem at Crescent Halls, and she said the Facebook page she started called "Caring for the Cville Community" has been addressing the same issues over the past two and a half years. She said a Council cannot demand respect, but instead has to earn trust. She asked Council to revert to the old rules.
7 Paul Long spoke on public transportation. He said City buses should run during the holidays. He called for bus routes to run every 20 minutes to encourage use of public transportation. He said this issue is more important now that Charlottesville is growing.
8 Mary Carey said the issue at Crescent Halls is active and needs to be addressed. She recounted a comment during a recent CRHA meeting that she considered offensive.
9 Peter Krebs thanked the County for acquiring park land for Vista Run. He described what the event regarding 5th/Ridge/McIntire will cover and encouraged community members to attend.
10 Nancy Carpenter thanked Nikuyah Walker for her recent representation on The View. She said she was putting her fist in the air in solidarity with Mary Carey. She called on the City to repair Crescent Halls, and at the least, address major maintenance issues while waiting for a permanent resolution.

City Council Work Sessions

2018 City Council Work Sessions

2019 City Council Work Sessions

  • January 23: Joint Worksession with Charlottesville School Board.
  • January 30: Joint Worksession with the Albemarle Board of Supervisors.
  • January 31: Budget Worksession.

Council's Vision Statement

2025 Charlottesville: A Great Place to Live for All of Our Citizens. A leader in innovation, environmental sustainability, and social and economic justice, and healthy race relations; Flexible and progressive in anticipating and responding to the needs of our citizens; Cultural and creative capital of Central Virginia; United community that treasures diversity.[59]


Logo-small25.jpg This article is a stub. You can help cvillepedia by expanding it.


References

  1. https://www.cvilletomorrow.org/articles/future-of-charlottesville-governance
  2. https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title15.2/chapter2/section15.2-201/
  3. Web. Walker selected as Charlottesville’s next Mayor after public discussion, Sean Tubbs, News Article, Charlottesville Tomorrow, January 3, 2018, retrieved March 26, 2019.
  4. https://www.cvilletomorrow.org/articles/city-council-format-change
  5. Web. How might Charlottesville be governed differently in the future?, Sean Tubbs, News Article, Charlottesville Tomorrow, February 28, 2018, retrieved March 5, 2018.
  6. Web. City Councilor Wes Bellamy talks Aug. 11 and 12, local politics with Jefferson Society, Geremia Di Maro, News Article, Cavalier Daily, April 3, 2018, retrieved October 16, 2019.
  7. Web. Charlottesville City Council changes the names of two renamed parks, Andrew Shurtleff, The Daily Progress staff reports, The Daily Progress, July 16, 2018, retrieved October 28, 2019.
  8. http://www.charlottesville.org/home/showdocument?id=63920
  9. Web. Bellamy wants Preston Avenue to be renamed, Nolan Stout, The Daily Progress, December 19, 2018, retrieved October 28, 2019.
  10. Web. City council votes to remove Thomas Jefferson holiday, By Brianna Hamblin, CBS19NEWS.COM, July 02, 2019, Updated Tue 12:04 PM, Jul 02, 2019, retrieved October 15, 2019.
  11. http://www.charlottesville.org/departments-and-services/departments-a-g/city-council/our-town-charlottesville
  12. https://www.charlottesville.org/departments-and-services/departments-a-g/city-council/our-town-charlottesville
  13. https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title15.2/chapter14/section15.2-1414.6/
  14. http://www.charlottesville.org/home/showdocument?id=63920
  15. https://www.dailyprogress.com/news/local/city/toscano-bell-oppose-city-charter-changes-likely-dooming-salary-proposal/article_463f627c-0fb0-11e9-a2dc-abcb4f9febda.html
  16. Web. City Council approves pay raise, taking its salaries to maximum, Chris Suarez, Daily Progress, Lee Enterprises, May 2, 2017, retrieved October 25, 2019.
  17. Web. City officials' credit card purchases include gift cards, meals with residents, Nolan Stout, Daily Progress, Media General, July 21, 2019, retrieved September 2, 2019.
  18. Web. City officials' credit card purchases include gift cards, meals with residents, Nolan Stout, Daily Progress, Media General, July 21, 2019, retrieved September 2, 2019.
  19. Web. Richardson believes his credit card policy could have prevented city, Texas scandals, Nolan Stout, Daily Progress, Media General, August 31, 2019, retrieved September 2, 2019.
  20. Web. City Manager's Budget Letter 2018, Office of the City Manager, July 1, 2018
  21. Web. Charlottesville suspends participatory budgeting after resignations, Nolan Stout, Daily Progress, Lee Enterprises, September 27, 2019, retrieved September 29, 2019.
  22. https://www.charlottesville.org/home/showdocument?id=65539
  23. Web. Packet for March 6, 2019 public interviews of managerial candidates, March 5, 2019, retrieved March 6, 2019.
  24. https://www.charlottesville.org/home/showdocument?id=36287
  25. https://www.cvilletomorrow.org/articles/council-decides-on-process-for-hiring-city-attorne, Council decides on process for hiring city attorney, Charlottesville Tomorrow, Sean Tubbs, April 14, 2018, May 22, 2019
  26. Web. Brackney officially chosen as Charlottesville police chief, Chris Suarez, Daily Progress, Lee Enterprises, May 21, 2018, retrieved May 28, 2018.
  27. Web. Charlottesville names Thierry Dupuis interim police chief, The Daily Progress staff, Daily Progress, Lee Enterprises, Dec 27, 2017, retrieved October 25, 2019.
  28. Web. Charlottesville names Thierry Dupuis interim police chief, The Daily Progress staff, Daily Progress, Lee Enterprises, Dec 27, 2017, retrieved October 25, 2019.
  29. http://www.charlottesville.org/departments-and-services/boards-and-commissions/albemarle-charlottesville-regional-jail-authority
  30. http://www.charlottesville.org/departments-and-services/boards-and-commissions/cat-advisory-board
  31. http://www.cvillescholarship.com/
  32. http://www.charlottesville.org/departments-and-services/departments-h-z/housing-authority
  33. http://www.charlottesville.org/departments-and-services/departments-h-z/neighborhood-development-services/historic-preservation-and-design-review/historic-resources-committee/members
  34. http://www.charlottesville.org/departments-and-services/boards-and-commissions/housing-advisory-committee
  35. http://www.jabacares.org/jabas-board-directors
  36. http://www.charlottesville.org/departments-and-services/boards-and-commissions/jefferson-area-community-criminal-justice-board
  37. http://www.albemarle.org/upload/images/webapps/boards/bc/showrecs.asp?ID=40
  38. http://www.charlottesville.org/departments-and-services/boards-and-commissions/metropolitan-planning-organization-policy-board
  39. http://www.charlottesville.org/departments-and-services/boards-and-commissions/metropolitan-planning-organization-policy-board
  40. https://piedmonthousingalliance.org/
  41. http://www.friendshipcourtapartments.com/advisory-committee/
  42. http://www.friendshipcourtapartments.com/advisory-committee/
  43. https://www.albemarle.org/department.asp?department=ctyexec&relpage=13535
  44. https://www.albemarle.org/department.asp?department=ctyexec&relpage=13535
  45. http://www.charlottesville.org/departments-and-services/boards-and-commissions/retirement-commission
  46. http://www.rivannariverbasin.org/
  47. http://www.rivannariverbasin.org/meeting-materials-RRBC.php
  48. https://www.rivanna.org/recycling-and-waste-disposal/
  49. http://www.charlottesville.org/departments-and-services/boards-and-commissions/rivanna-solid-waste-authority
  50. https://www.rivanna.org/who-we-are/our-board-of-directors/
  51. http://www.charlottesville.org/departments-and-services/boards-and-commissions/rivanna-water-and-sewer-authority
  52. https://www.rivanna.org/who-we-are/our-board-of-directors/
  53. http://www.route29solutions.org/panels_meetings/hydraulic_planning_advisory_panel.asp
  54. http://www.route29solutions.org/panels_meetings/hydraulic_planning_advisory_panel_members.asp
  55. http://www.charlottesville.org/departments-and-services/boards-and-commissions/social-services-advisory-board
  56. http://campo.tjpdc.org/committees/policy-board/
  57. Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named dis
  58. Web. County approves dissolution of regional planning council, Allison Wrabel, Daily Progress, Lee Enterprises, November 7, 2019, retrieved November 11, 2019. Print. November 7, 2019 page A1.
  59. https://www.charlottesville.org/home/showdocument?id=20073

External Links