Charlottesville City Council (2020-2021): Difference between revisions

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''See also: [[City Council]], [[List of City Councilors]], [https://law.lis.virginia.gov/charters/charlottesville/ City Charter]''
''See also: [[City Council]], [[List of members of Charlottesville City Council from 1928 to present]], [[List of Charlottesville City Council sessions]]'', [[City Government]]


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<< [[Charlottesville City Council (2018-2019)|Previous]] | [[Charlottesville City Council (2022-2023)| Next]] >>


The '''Charlottesville City Council (2020-2021)''' is the current governing body of the City of Charlottesville. The Council is composed of five members, each elected at-large by voters under a council-manager form of government. The president of City Council (called [[mayor]]) is elected by the five members of Council at the beginning of each two-year Council term and serves until the next bi-annual organizational meeting of the City Council.
The '''Charlottesville City Council (2020-2021)''' is the current governing body of the City of Charlottesville. The Council is composed of five members, each elected at-large by voters under a council-manager form of government. The president of City Council (called [[mayor]]) is elected by the five members of Council at the beginning of each two-year Council term and serves until the next bi-annual organizational meeting of the City Council; the first meeting held after the most recent election.  


<gallery widths=110px heights=110px perrow=5 caption="Charlottesville City Council (2020-2021); Term runs from January 1, 2020 to December 31, 2021">
<gallery widths=110px heights=110px perrow=5 caption="Charlottesville City Council (2020-2021); Term runs from January 1, 2020 to December 31, 2021">
File:2020-Sena Magill.JPG|[[Sena Magill]] (D), Title: Vice mayor; Councilor member since January 2020; next at-large election: November 7, 2023
File:2020-Sena Magill.JPG|[[Sena Magill]] (D), Title: Vice President (Vice mayor); member since January 2020; next election: November 7, 2023
File:2020-Lloyd Snook.JPG|[[Lloyd Snook]] (D), Title: Councilor; Councilor member since January 2020; next at-large election: November 7, 2023
File:2020-Lloyd Snook.JPG|[[Lloyd Snook]] (D), Title: Councilor; member since January 2020; next election: November 7, 2023
File:2020-Michael Payne.JPG|[[Michael Payne]] (D), Title: Councilor; Councilor member since January 2020; next at-large election: November 7, 2023
File:2020-Michael Payne.JPG|[[Michael Payne]] (D), Title: Councilor; member since January 2020; next election: November 7, 2023
File:2020-Nikuyah Walker.JPG|[[Nikuyah Walker]] (I), Title: Mayor; Council member since January 2018; next at-large election: November 2, 2021
File:2020-Nikuyah Walker.JPG|[[Nikuyah Walker]] (I), Title: President (Mayor); member since January 2018; next election: November 2, 2021
File:2020-Heather Hill.JPG|[[Heather Hill]] (D), Title: Councilor, Council member since January 2018; next at-large election: November 2, 2021
File:2020-Heather Hill.JPG|[[Heather Hill]] (D), Title: Councilor, member since January 2018; next election: November 2, 2021
</gallery>
</gallery>


City Council appoints the [[City Manager]], the [[Director of Finance]], the [[City Assessor]], the [[Clerk of the Council]] and members of major policy-making [[Boards and Commissions]]. Council has an advisory role in appointing the [[City Attorney]] and the [[Chief of Police]].
City Council appoints the [[City Manager]], the [[Director of Finance]], the [[City Assessor]], the [[Clerk of the Council]] and members of major policy-making [[Boards and Commissions]]. Council has an advisory role in appointing the [[City Attorney]] and the [[Chief of Police]].


<gallery widths=100px heights=100px perrow=5 caption="Charlottesville City Council (2020-2021) Appointments">
<gallery widths=100px heights=100px perrow=7 caption="Charlottesville City Council (2020-2021) Appointments">
File:2019-Tarron J. Richardson.jpg|Dr. [[Tarron Richardson]], Title: [[City Manager]] (May 13, 2019 to September 30, 2020)
File:2019-Tarron J. Richardson 2.jpg|[[City Manager]]: Dr. [[Tarron Richardson]], May 13, 2019 to September 30, 2020 (16 months 17 days)
File:20180801John Blair.jpg|[[John C. Blair, II]], Title: Acting [[City Manager]], since [[September 13]], [[2020]]
File:20180801John Blair.jpg|Interim [[City Manager]]: [[John C. Blair, II]], September 13, 2020 to September 30, 2020
File:2020 - Christopher Cullinan, Finance Director.JPG|[[Christopher Cullinan]], Title: [[Director of Finance]], since January 2015
File:20180801John Blair.jpg|Acting [[City Manager]]: [[John C. Blair, II]], October 1, 2020 to February 15, 2021
File:No photo m.jpg|[[Jeffrey S. Davis]], Title: [[City Assessor]], since December 2015
File:20140324 TJPDC ChipBoyles.jpg|[[City Manager]]: [[Chip Boyles]], since February 15, 2021
File:2020 - Kyna Thomas.JPG|[[Kyna Thomas]], Title: Chief of Staff / [[Clerk of Council]], since January 28, 2019
File:2020 - Christopher Cullinan, Finance Director.JPG|[[Director of Finance]]: [[Christopher Cullinan]], since January 2015
File:2020 - John C. Blair, II.JPG|[[John C. Blair, II]], Title: [[City Attorney]], since August 15, 2018
File:No photo m.jpg|[[City Assessor]]: [[Jeffrey S. Davis]], since December 2015
File:No photo w.jpg|[[Lisa Robertson]], Title: Acting [[City Attorney]], since October 1, 2020
File:2020 - Kyna Thomas.JPG|Chief of Staff / [[Clerk of Council]]: [[Kyna Thomas]], since January 28, 2019
File:2020 - Chief RaShall M. Brackney.JPG|Dr. [[RaShall M. Brackney]], Title:[[Charlottesville Police Chief|City Police Chief]], since May 21, 2018
</gallery>
</gallery>


<gallery widths=100px heights=100px perrow=5 caption="Charlottesville City Council (2020-2021) Advisory Appointments">
File:CityofCharlottesvilleSeal2018.png | [[City Attorney]]: Vacant as of February 12, 2021
File:CityofCharlottesvilleSeal2018.png | [[Deputy City Manager of Operations]]: Vacant as of February 19, 2021
File:20180801John Blair.jpg|[[City Attorney]]: [[John C. Blair, II]], August 15, 2018 to February 12, 2021
File:2014 - Lisa Robertson.JPG|Acting [[City Attorney]]: [[Lisa Robertson]], since October 1, 2020
File:2020 - Chief RaShall M. Brackney.JPG|[[Charlottesville Police Chief|City Police Chief]]: Dr. [[RaShall M. Brackney]], since May 21, 2018
File:Letitia L. Shelton.JPG|[[Deputy City Manager & Chief Operating Office]]: [[Letitia Shelton]], July 2019 to February 19, 2021
</gallery>
==Salaries & Compensations==
$18,000 for councilors and $20,000 for the mayor. Charlottesville has one of the highest average salaries for council members in Virginia. State code sets salary limits for members of city councils based on population, ranging from $11,000 to $30,000. [https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title15.2/chapter14/section15.2-1414.6/#:~:text=Bodies%20of%20Localities-,%C2%A7%2015.2%2D1414.6.,salary%20increases%3B%20reimbursement%20for%20expenses.&text=However%2C%20all%20claims%20for%20reimbursement,receipts%20to%20the%20extent%20feasible.general laws of the Commonwealth].
===Council seeks to set its own compensation===
*[[Charlottesville City Council (2018-2019)]] 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.<ref>http://www.charlottesville.org/home/showdocument?id=63920</ref> [[Nikuyah Walker]] joined then councelors [[Wes Bellamy]], [[Kathy Galvin]] in voiting for the change; [[Heather Hill]] joined then councilor [[Mike Signer]] in voting against the change.
: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>
===Council travel and spending===
====City-issued credit cards====
====Discretionary spending====
==Vision statement==
==FY2022 Budget (July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2022)==
*April 13, 2021: Charlottesville City Council adopts $192.2 million budget for fiscal year 2022. <ref>{{cite web|title=Charlottesville City Council passes FY 2022 budget|url=https://www.nbc29.com/2021/04/14/charlottesville-city-council-passes-fy-budget/|author=Steve Rappaport|work=News Article|publisher=|location=|publishdate=April 13, 2021|accessdate=April 14, 2021}}</ref>
==FY2021 Budget (July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021)==
==FY2021 Budget (July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021)==
*June 1, 2020: During its virtual regular meeting on this Monday, city councilors unanimously signed off on the $191.2 million budget for fiscal 2021, which starts July 1, 2020.<ref>{{Cite-progress|url=https://dailyprogress.com/news/local/charlottesville-city-council-signs-off-on-reduced-fiscal-year-2021-budget/article_0b9f65b4-f79a-5f44-9b3e-719382e84c2c.html|title=Charlottesville City Council signs off on reduced fiscal year 2021 budget|author=Nolan Stout|publishdate=June 1, 2020|accessdate=December 11, 2020}}</ref> The revised budget for FY21 reflects a loss in sales, meals and lodging tax revenue of $2.3 million. Projected revenues and expenditures that were presented in the originally proposed budget were reduced as a result of COVID-19. These reductions resulted in revenue projections falling from $196.6 million to $191.2 million.  
*[[January 19]], 2021 &ndash; City Council's meeting included presentation of December (2020) sale numbers. The city is currently forecasting operating with a budget roughly $10M less than when it was adopted. Acting City Manager [[John Blair]] noted the situation could get better if the Biden Administration and Democratic-controlled Congress delivers on more relief. The city is operating on a $191.2 million budget for fiscal 2021, which started [[July 1]], [[2020]]. 
 
*June 1, 2020: During its virtual regular meeting on this Monday, city councilors unanimously signed off on the $191.2 million budget for fiscal 2021, which starts July 1, 2020.<ref>{{Cite-progress|url=https://dailyprogress.com/news/local/charlottesville-city-council-signs-off-on-reduced-fiscal-year-2021-budget/article_0b9f65b4-f79a-5f44-9b3e-719382e84c2c.html|title=Charlottesville City Council signs off on reduced fiscal year 2021 budget|author=Nolan Stout|publishdate=June 1, 2020|accessdate=December 11, 2020}}</ref> The revised budget for FY21 reflects a loss in sales, meals and lodging tax revenue of $2.3 million. Projected revenues and expenditures that were presented in the originally proposed budget were reduced as a result of COVID-19. These reductions resulted in revenue projections falling from $196.6 million to $191.2 million. The city’s contribution to the school division was set at $58.6 million, a $1.3 million increase over FY20.


*March 2, 2020: Council proposed a total general fund expenditures of $196.6 million. This is a 4.11% increase from fiscal year 2020. <ref>https://www.cbs19news.com/story/41832185/proposed-fy-2021-budget-to-be-presented-to-charlottesville-city-council</ref> The proposed budget for FY21 had revenues for sales, meals and lodging taxes set at $31,950,505. This was an increase of $970,752 from the adopted FY20 $30,979,753 budget.
*March 2, 2020 &ndash; Council proposed a total general fund expenditures of $196.6 million. This is a 4.11% increase from fiscal year 2020. <ref>https://www.cbs19news.com/story/41832185/proposed-fy-2021-budget-to-be-presented-to-charlottesville-city-council</ref> The proposed budget for FY21 had revenues for sales, meals and lodging taxes set at $31,950,505. This was an increase of $970,752 from the adopted FY20 $30,979,753 budget.


==City’s Strategic Plan==
==City’s Strategic Plan==
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*Maintains level funding for employee compensation and benefits.
*Maintains level funding for employee compensation and benefits.
*Fully funds the City’s Actuarial Retirement Contribution for the Retirement Fund, at a cost of $10.5 million in the General Fund.
*Fully funds the City’s Actuarial Retirement Contribution for the Retirement Fund, at a cost of $10.5 million in the General Fund.
 
==[[2021 election]]==
Elections for the Charlottesville City Council (2022-2022) will take place in 2021. Two of the five seats on the Council will be open. The Democratic primary will be held on June 8, 2021, and the general election will be held on November 2, 2021.
==[[2019 election]]==
==[[2019 election]]==
Elections for the Charlottesville City Council (2020-2021) took place in 2019. Three of the five seats on the Council were open. The Democratic primary was held on June 11, 2019, and the general election was on November 5.
Elections for the Charlottesville City Council (2020-2021) took place in 2019. Three of the five seats on the Council were open. The Democratic primary was held on June 11, 2019, and the general election was on November 5.
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::Walker was firest appointed mayor on a 4-1 vote in January [[2018]] in the fallout of the deadly [[2017]] [[Unite the Right]] rally<ref>{{cite web|title= Walker to continue as Charlottesville mayor; Magill named vice mayor|url= https://www.dailyprogress.com/news/local/walker-to-continue-as-charlottesville-mayor-magill-named-vice-mayor/article_3d3e63f6-ac06-57da-9f1c-86af26fe463b.html |author= Nolan Stout |work= dailyprogress.com |publisher=The Daily Progress |location= Charlottesville, VA |publishdate= January 6, 2020 | accessdate=February 5, 2020}}</ref> and is the first mayor to serve more than one term since [[Satyendra Huja]] stepped down in [[2015]]. Walker received the most votes (29.13%) during the [[2017 election]] for City Council. Former councilor [[Mike Signer]] served only one term.<ref>{{cite web|title= Walker to continue as Charlottesville mayor; Magill named vice mayor|url= https://www.dailyprogress.com/news/local/walker-to-continue-as-charlottesville-mayor-magill-named-vice-mayor/article_3d3e63f6-ac06-57da-9f1c-86af26fe463b.html |author= Nolan Stout |work= dailyprogress.com |publisher=The Daily Progress |location= Charlottesville, VA |publishdate= January 6, 2020 | accessdate=February 5, 2020}}</ref> Prior to the 1990's, the custom of the council was to select as mayor the most senior council member who had not already held the position. In the [[2019 election|general election]], Magill got the most amount of votes in history for a Charlottesville City Councilor. <ref>{{cite-progress|title=Magill made history with most votes of any City Council candidate in history|url=https://www.dailyprogress.com/election/magill-made-history-with-most-votes-of-any-city-council/article_017f75ee-7e18-5905-a351-7792ae33acbd.html|author=Nolan Stout|pageno=A1|printdate=November 10, 2019|publishdate=November 10, 2019|accessdate=November 12, 2019}}</ref>   
::Walker was firest appointed mayor on a 4-1 vote in January [[2018]] in the fallout of the deadly [[2017]] [[Unite the Right]] rally<ref>{{cite web|title= Walker to continue as Charlottesville mayor; Magill named vice mayor|url= https://www.dailyprogress.com/news/local/walker-to-continue-as-charlottesville-mayor-magill-named-vice-mayor/article_3d3e63f6-ac06-57da-9f1c-86af26fe463b.html |author= Nolan Stout |work= dailyprogress.com |publisher=The Daily Progress |location= Charlottesville, VA |publishdate= January 6, 2020 | accessdate=February 5, 2020}}</ref> and is the first mayor to serve more than one term since [[Satyendra Huja]] stepped down in [[2015]]. Walker received the most votes (29.13%) during the [[2017 election]] for City Council. Former councilor [[Mike Signer]] served only one term.<ref>{{cite web|title= Walker to continue as Charlottesville mayor; Magill named vice mayor|url= https://www.dailyprogress.com/news/local/walker-to-continue-as-charlottesville-mayor-magill-named-vice-mayor/article_3d3e63f6-ac06-57da-9f1c-86af26fe463b.html |author= Nolan Stout |work= dailyprogress.com |publisher=The Daily Progress |location= Charlottesville, VA |publishdate= January 6, 2020 | accessdate=February 5, 2020}}</ref> Prior to the 1990's, the custom of the council was to select as mayor the most senior council member who had not already held the position. In the [[2019 election|general election]], Magill got the most amount of votes in history for a Charlottesville City Councilor. <ref>{{cite-progress|title=Magill made history with most votes of any City Council candidate in history|url=https://www.dailyprogress.com/election/magill-made-history-with-most-votes-of-any-city-council/article_017f75ee-7e18-5905-a351-7792ae33acbd.html|author=Nolan Stout|pageno=A1|printdate=November 10, 2019|publishdate=November 10, 2019|accessdate=November 12, 2019}}</ref>   


==Charter Amendments (2020)==
==Issues in the council==
[https://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?ses=201&typ=bil&val=ch813 HB 1107 Charlottesville, City of; amending charter, city organization.]
===Dispute over hiring a new City Manager===
The following amendments to the [[1946 Charter]] were introduced by Delegate [[Sally L. Hudson]] (D) - [[House District 57]] and approved by the General Assembly on [[April 7]], [[2020]]. Amendments went into effect on [[July 1]], [[2020]]:
===City-issued credit cards===
===Compensation===
By Ordinance, Councilors made $18,000 a year and the mayor made $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> The 2020 Charter amendment brought the city code in alignment with ordinances passed by the [[Charlottesville City Council (2004-2006)]].
:Prior to the 2020 amendment, the Charter set an annual salary not to exceed thirty-six hundred dollars ($3,600.00) for each council member; except the mayor was to receive a salary not to exceed forty-eight hundred dollars ($4,800.00).
::[[December 3]], [[2018]] - On a motion by [[Wes Bellamy]], seconded by [[Kathy Galvin]], the [[Charlottesville City Council (2018-2019)]] voted 3-2 to allow the city to operate outside of state guidelines for mayor and councilor pay. Delegates Toscano and Bell opposed city charter changes, dooming salary proposal for the 2019 General Assembly session.<ref>http://www.charlottesville.org/home/showdocument?id=63920</ref>
:::''Context: The annual salary for Virginia senators is $18,000''.<ref>"[http://legis.virginia.gov/1_home/gen_info_senate.html General Information: Senate] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120626093555/http://legis.virginia.gov/1_home/gen_info_senate.html |date=2012-06-26 }}."</ref> ''The annual salary for Virginia delegates is $17,640''.<ref>"[http://legis.virginia.gov/1_home/gen_info_house.html General Information: House of Delegates {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120521205931/http://legis.virginia.gov/1_home/gen_info_house.html |date=2012-05-21 }}.</ref>The current [[Albemarle County Board of Supervisors]] annual salary is $14,542. The chair receives a yearly stipend of $1,800. The vice chair receives $35 for every meeting he or she chairs.<ref>{{cite web|title=Sec. 2-202 - Compensation of the Board of Supervisors|url=https://library.municode.com/va/albemarle_county/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=COALCOVI_CH2AD_ART2BOSU_S2-202COBOSU|author=Albemarle County|work=County Code|publisher=Municode|location=|publishdate=|accessdate=January 1, 2020}}</ref>
 
=== Elections===
In 2007, the [[Charlottesville Board of Elections]] switched council and local elections from May to November without conducting a referendum on the question.<ref>https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title24.2/chapter2/section24.2-222.1/</ref> The [[2020 Charter amendment]] is a text change to match current city election dates as set by ordinance of the [[Charlottesville City Council (2004-2006)]] and the [[Charlottesville Board of Elections]]. 
===Council powers===
===Election of City manager===
In lieu of the of the whole city council (five members), the city manager is to be appointed by a majority vote of the city council. (§ 5.d)
===Vagrancy===
Council's power ''To restrain and punish drunkards, vagrants, mendicants and street beggars.'' (Repealed, text is simply deleted from the Code)
:Historical Context: The [[Vagrancy Act of 1866]] remained on Virginia's books in some form until [[1904]], when a new law – [[An Act in Relation to Vagrancy]] – was passed. It made vagrancy a misdemeanor punishable by a bond payment and good conduct for one year.
===Budget Fiscal year; budget; levy of taxes===
The city's fiscal year shall begin on July 1 of every year and conclude on June 30 of the following year. (Added)
 
==Salaries==
The 2020 Charter amendment brought the city code in alignment with ordinances passed by the [[Charlottesville City Council (2004-2006)]]. The current (January 2020) maximum pay in Charlottesville is $18,000 for councilors and $20,000 for the mayor. Charlottesville has one of the highest average salaries for council members in Virginia. State code sets salary limits for members of city councils based on population, ranging from $11,000 to $30,000. [https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title15.2/chapter14/section15.2-1414.6/#:~:text=Bodies%20of%20Localities-,%C2%A7%2015.2%2D1414.6.,salary%20increases%3B%20reimbursement%20for%20expenses.&text=However%2C%20all%20claims%20for%20reimbursement,receipts%20to%20the%20extent%20feasible.general laws of the Commonwealth]. Elected city school boards are governed by the same guidelines.
==Issues in the city==
==Issues in the city==
 
===[[COVID-19 Emergency]]===
===Long-standing staffing issues===
City Councilor Michael Payne called it a “leadership crisis.”
===Lawsuit over Confederate statues===
The lawsuit, Payne v. Charlottesville, involves two Confederate statues located in the downtown part of the city.
===Tourism dollars===
February 19, 2021: Charlottesville-Albemarle Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVACB) reported that transient occupancy tax revenue, which comes from people staying in area hotels, was drastically lower last year compared to previous years. Tourism normally creates more than $10 million during the summer and fall seasons. At the beginning of 2021, tourism dollars were behind by roughly $3 million. In [[2018]], 86 percent of business owners said they were seeing fewer tourists and 35 percent said they're seeing fewer local customers.
===Belmont Bridge Replacement===
==<div id=City Officers>City Officers==
==<div id=City Officers>City Officers==
Council's most significant role is to enact laws, to adopt the city's operating budget and to hire the [[City Manager]] to run most city operations. Council is in charge of policy oversight and also hires the [[Chief of Staff/Clerk of Council]], [[Director of Finance]] and the [[Real Estate Assessor]]. 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>and the [[Chief of Police]]. Council also has the authority to decide who sits on various city boards and commissions. As a result, City Council has significant influence in shaping city policies and programs.
Council's most significant role is to enact laws, to adopt the city's operating budget and to hire the [[City Manager]] to run most city operations. Council is in charge of policy oversight and also hires the [[Chief of Staff/Clerk of Council]], [[Director of Finance]] and the [[Real Estate Assessor]]. 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>and the [[Chief of Police]]. Council also has the authority to decide who sits on various city boards and commissions. As a result, City Council has significant influence in shaping city policies and programs.
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The City Council appoints various boards, commissions, and committees to support the City Council in the policymaking and decision making processes. One or two City Council members may serve on a committee as a representative of, or liaison to, the City Council.
The City Council appoints various boards, commissions, and committees to support the City Council in the policymaking and decision making processes. One or two City Council members may serve on a committee as a representative of, or liaison to, the City Council.


Charlottesville City Council reviews Boards & Commissions applications on a quarterly basis after an opening has been posted for a minimum of 30 days, unless Council determines a vacancy needs to be filled sooner and a deadline is posted otherwise.  Council may extend a deadline as necessary. The appointment schedule for 2020 is as follows:
Charlottesville City Council reviews Boards & Commissions applications on a quarterly basis after an opening has been posted for a minimum of 30 days, unless Council determines a vacancy needs to be filled sooner and a deadline is posted otherwise.  Council may extend a deadline as necessary.  
 
The appointment schedule for [[2020]] is as follows:
*January 6, 2020  
*January 6, 2020  
*March 16, 2020 (application deadline March 6, 2020)
*March 15, 2020 (application deadline March 6, 2020)
:Current vacancies:
::(1) Board of Architectural Review (Historian)
::(3) Board of Zoning Appeals (Full-time Member & Alternate Members)
::(1) CDBG Task Force (Belmont Community Representative)
::(3) Charlottesville Economic Development Authority (CEDA)
::(1) Charlottesville Redevelopment and Housing Authority
::(2) Community Policy and Management Team (Parent Rep,. Private Provider Rep.)
::(3) Housing Advisory Committee (Neighborhood Assoc. Rep., Banker Rep., At-Large)
::(1) Monticello Area Community Action Agency Board (MACAA)
::(1) Region Ten Community Services Board
::(1) Retirement Commission (Community Member)
::(2) Sister Cities Commission (Business Rep., Youth Rep.)
::(2) Social Services Advisory Board
::(3) Tree Commission
::(2) Vendor Appeals Board Current vacancies (non City-employee)
::Youth Council     
*June 15, 2020 (application deadline June 5, 2020)
*June 15, 2020 (application deadline June 5, 2020)
*September 21, 2020 (application deadline September 11, 2020)
*September 21, 2020 (application deadline September 11, 2020)
*December 21, 2020 (application deadline December 11, 2020)
*December 21, 2020 (application deadline December 11, 2020)
===Compensation===
Committee members are not compensated for their service.  City Council members are compensated for their service but do not receive any additional compensation for serving on a standing committee, ad hoc committee, or other committee.


==City population==
The appointment schedule for [[2021]] is as follows:
Population as of most recent census (April 1, 2010): 43,475
*March 15, 2021 (application deadline March 5, 2021 at 5:00 p.m.)
*According to the current data from [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.
*June 21, 2021 (application deadline June 11, 2021)
*The area within the city limits was 10.27 square miles, giving it a population density of about 4,600 people per square mile. Relative to local populations, Charlottesville has one seat for every 8,700 residents. 
*September 20, 2021 (application deadline September 15, 2021)
*As for historically under-represented groups, the city has about the same percentage of blacks in council as in the general populations; in Charlottesville, blacks makeup 18.3 percent of the population <ref>https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/charlottesvillecityvirginiacounty</ref> and 20 percent of the council.
*December 20, 2021 (application deadline December 15, 2021)
==General notes==
[[Category: Charlottesville boards and commissions]]
*Elections are non-partisan elections.
[[Category:Boards and Commissions - Vacancies]]
*The council post videos of council meetings online as well as searchable databases of legislation.
*Council does not post members’ personal financial disclosure statements or lobbying records.


==City Council Regular Meeting Schedule for 2020==
==City Council Regular Meeting Schedule for 2020==
Line 132: Line 162:
*March 16, 2020  
*March 16, 2020  
*April 6, 2020 - CANCELED
*April 6, 2020 - CANCELED
*April 20, 2020 - [[Public hearings online]]
*April 20, 2020 - [[Public hearings online]] *
:Council held its first regular monthly meeting using a Virtual Meeting platform via Livestream (view only).  
:Council held its first regular monthly meeting using a Virtual Meeting platform via Livestream (view only).  
*May 4, 2020  
*May 4, 2020 *
*May 18, 2020  
*May 18, 2020 *
*June 1, 2020  
*June 1, 2020 *
*June 15, 2020  
*June 15, 2020 *
*July 6, 2020
*July 6, 2020 *
*July 20, 2020
*July 20, 2020 *
*August 3, 2020
*August 3, 2020 *
*August 17, 2020
*August 17, 2020 *
*''Tuesday, September 8, 2020''
*''Tuesday, September 8, 2020'' *
*September 21, 2020
*September 21, 2020 *
*October 5, 2020
*October 5, 2020 *
*October 19, 2020
*October 19, 2020 *
*November 2, 2020
*November 2, 2020 *
*November 16, 2020
*November 16, 2020 *
*December 7, 2020
*December 7, 2020 *
*December 21, 2020
*December 21, 2020 *
''Italics indicate an adjusted date due to a holiday''.
:''Italics indicate an adjusted date due to a holiday''
:[[Public hearings online]] *
 
==City population==
Population as of most recent census (April 1, 2010): 43,475
*According to the current data from [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 area within the city limits was 10.27 square miles, giving it a population density of about 4,600 people per square mile. Relative to local populations, Charlottesville has one seat for every 8,700 residents. 
*As for historically under-represented groups, the city has about the same percentage of blacks in council as in the general populations; in Charlottesville, blacks makeup 18.3 percent of the population <ref>https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/charlottesvillecityvirginiacounty</ref> and 20 percent of the council.
==General notes==
*Elections are non-partisan elections.
*The council post videos of council meetings online as well as searchable databases of legislation.
*Council does not post members’ personal financial disclosure statements or lobbying records.


<gallery perrow=5 caption="Charlottesville City Council (2020-2021)>
<gallery widths=150px heights=150px perrow=5 caption="Charlottesville City Council (2020-2021)>
File:01062020 - Charlottesville City Council.JPG|City Council Organizational Meeting, January 6, 2020
File:01062020 - Charlottesville City Council.JPG|City Council Organizational Meeting, January 6, 2020
File:04202020 - CITY COUNCIL VIRTUAL MEETING.JPG | City Council's First "Virtual" Public Meeting, April 20, 2020
File:04202020 - CITY COUNCIL VIRTUAL MEETING.JPG | City Council's First "Virtual" Public Meeting, April 20, 2020

Revision as of 22:32, 14 April 2021

See also: City Council, List of members of Charlottesville City Council from 1928 to present, List of Charlottesville City Council sessions, City Government

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The Charlottesville City Council (2020-2021) is the current governing body of the City of Charlottesville. The Council is composed of five members, each elected at-large by voters under a council-manager form of government. The president of City Council (called mayor) is elected by the five members of Council at the beginning of each two-year Council term and serves until the next bi-annual organizational meeting of the City Council; the first meeting held after the most recent election.

City Council appoints the City Manager, the Director of Finance, the City Assessor, the Clerk of the Council and members of major policy-making Boards and Commissions. Council has an advisory role in appointing the City Attorney and the Chief of Police.

Salaries & Compensations

$18,000 for councilors and $20,000 for the mayor. Charlottesville has one of the highest average salaries for council members in Virginia. State code sets salary limits for members of city councils based on population, ranging from $11,000 to $30,000. laws of the Commonwealth.

Council seeks to set its own compensation

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.[2]

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. [3]

Council travel and spending

City-issued credit cards

Discretionary spending

Vision statement

FY2022 Budget (July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2022)

  • April 13, 2021: Charlottesville City Council adopts $192.2 million budget for fiscal year 2022. [4]

FY2021 Budget (July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021)

  • January 19, 2021 – City Council's meeting included presentation of December (2020) sale numbers. The city is currently forecasting operating with a budget roughly $10M less than when it was adopted. Acting City Manager John Blair noted the situation could get better if the Biden Administration and Democratic-controlled Congress delivers on more relief. The city is operating on a $191.2 million budget for fiscal 2021, which started July 1, 2020.
  • June 1, 2020: During its virtual regular meeting on this Monday, city councilors unanimously signed off on the $191.2 million budget for fiscal 2021, which starts July 1, 2020.[5] The revised budget for FY21 reflects a loss in sales, meals and lodging tax revenue of $2.3 million. Projected revenues and expenditures that were presented in the originally proposed budget were reduced as a result of COVID-19. These reductions resulted in revenue projections falling from $196.6 million to $191.2 million. The city’s contribution to the school division was set at $58.6 million, a $1.3 million increase over FY20.
  • March 2, 2020 – Council proposed a total general fund expenditures of $196.6 million. This is a 4.11% increase from fiscal year 2020. [6] The proposed budget for FY21 had revenues for sales, meals and lodging taxes set at $31,950,505. This was an increase of $970,752 from the adopted FY20 $30,979,753 budget.

City’s Strategic Plan

Over the next year (July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021), Council will be reviewing the plan and making revisions and updates for future goals and budget alignment. Below are some highlights of expenditures included in the adopted FY2021 Budget budget that fall under the priorities of the Strategic Plan.

City Schools

  • $1.34M in new operational funding as well as a $3.4M investment in their capital program.

City Council Initiatives

Compensation and Benefits

  • Maintains level funding for employee compensation and benefits.
  • Fully funds the City’s Actuarial Retirement Contribution for the Retirement Fund, at a cost of $10.5 million in the General Fund.

2021 election

Elections for the Charlottesville City Council (2022-2022) will take place in 2021. Two of the five seats on the Council will be open. The Democratic primary will be held on June 8, 2021, and the general election will be held on November 2, 2021.

2019 election

Elections for the Charlottesville City Council (2020-2021) took place in 2019. Three of the five seats on the Council were open. The Democratic primary was held on June 11, 2019, and the general election was on November 5.

Council’s configuration & power

Since 1928, the council has been composed of five councilor members, one of whom serves as mayor. Each member is elected at-large, by voters to four-year, staggered terms. Following the 2019 election, held on November 5, 2019, three new members, Lloyd Snook, Sena Magill and Michael Payne, each took their oath of office on December 19, 2019, allowing them to assumed full duties immediately on January 1, 2020 and thereby filling the seats being vacated by Mike Signer, Wes Bellamy and Kathy Galvin who each declined to seek re-election.

Council president and vice-president

Charlottesville is a city manager-weak mayor form of local government, the positions of mayor and vice-mayor largely are ceremonial. The President of City Council (called mayor) and Vice-president (called vice-mayor)are elected by the five members of Council at the beginning of each two-year Council term and serves until the next election. Nikuyah Walker, an independent, won a second term as president of the council (mayor). Councilor Sena Magill (D) was selected as vice mayor.

Organizational meeting

On January 6, 2020, Nikuyah Walker (I) was selected on a 3-2 vote for a second term as mayor at the bi-annual organizational meeting of the City Council. Walker and councilors Michael Payne (D) and Sena Magill (D) voted in favor of her appointment. Councilors Heather Hill (D) and Lloyd Snook (D) voted against it. New councilor Sena Magill (D) was elected 4-1 as vice mayor,[7] a position previously held by Heather Hill who declined nomination.

Walker was firest appointed mayor on a 4-1 vote in January 2018 in the fallout of the deadly 2017 Unite the Right rally[8] and is the first mayor to serve more than one term since Satyendra Huja stepped down in 2015. Walker received the most votes (29.13%) during the 2017 election for City Council. Former councilor Mike Signer served only one term.[9] Prior to the 1990's, the custom of the council was to select as mayor the most senior council member who had not already held the position. In the general election, Magill got the most amount of votes in history for a Charlottesville City Councilor. [10]

Issues in the council

Dispute over hiring a new City Manager

City-issued credit cards

Issues in the city

COVID-19 Emergency

Long-standing staffing issues

City Councilor Michael Payne called it a “leadership crisis.”

Lawsuit over Confederate statues

The lawsuit, Payne v. Charlottesville, involves two Confederate statues located in the downtown part of the city.

Tourism dollars

February 19, 2021: Charlottesville-Albemarle Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVACB) reported that transient occupancy tax revenue, which comes from people staying in area hotels, was drastically lower last year compared to previous years. Tourism normally creates more than $10 million during the summer and fall seasons. At the beginning of 2021, tourism dollars were behind by roughly $3 million. In 2018, 86 percent of business owners said they were seeing fewer tourists and 35 percent said they're seeing fewer local customers.

Belmont Bridge Replacement

City Officers

Council's most significant role is to enact laws, to adopt the city's operating budget and to hire the City Manager to run most city operations. Council is in charge of policy oversight and also hires the Chief of Staff/Clerk of Council, Director of Finance and the Real Estate Assessor. Council has an advisory role in appointing the City Attorney [11]and the Chief of Police. Council also has the authority to decide who sits on various city boards and commissions. As a result, City Council has significant influence in shaping city policies and programs. Among the officers and clerks who have served at the pleasure of the Charlottesville City Council (2020-2021):

City Manager

Chief of Staff/Clerk of Council

Formerly referred to as the City Council Clerk, the position was expanded by the Charlottesville City Council (2018-2019) under the title of Chief of Staff / Clerk of Council[12].

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.

City Council Standing Committee assignments (2020 – 2021)

Advisory City Council Committees

Most, but not all, of Council's standing committees are organized into specific policy areas. The committees each have a chair, vice chair and a minimum of 3 members. They consider policy areas that are directed to them by the Council. The committees report back to the full Council on their work. The standing committees have special rules for appointing leadership and members. All five Council members serve on the various Committees. City Council Committees do not replace the City Council as final decision makers on behalf of the full City Council.

Appointment of advisory boards, committees and commissions

refer to Main Article: List of Boards and Commissions

The City Council appoints various boards, commissions, and committees to support the City Council in the policymaking and decision making processes. One or two City Council members may serve on a committee as a representative of, or liaison to, the City Council.

Charlottesville City Council reviews Boards & Commissions applications on a quarterly basis after an opening has been posted for a minimum of 30 days, unless Council determines a vacancy needs to be filled sooner and a deadline is posted otherwise. Council may extend a deadline as necessary.

The appointment schedule for 2020 is as follows:

  • January 6, 2020
  • March 15, 2020 (application deadline March 6, 2020)
Current vacancies:
(1) Board of Architectural Review (Historian)
(3) Board of Zoning Appeals (Full-time Member & Alternate Members)
(1) CDBG Task Force (Belmont Community Representative)
(3) Charlottesville Economic Development Authority (CEDA)
(1) Charlottesville Redevelopment and Housing Authority
(2) Community Policy and Management Team (Parent Rep,. Private Provider Rep.)
(3) Housing Advisory Committee (Neighborhood Assoc. Rep., Banker Rep., At-Large)
(1) Monticello Area Community Action Agency Board (MACAA)
(1) Region Ten Community Services Board
(1) Retirement Commission (Community Member)
(2) Sister Cities Commission (Business Rep., Youth Rep.)
(2) Social Services Advisory Board
(3) Tree Commission
(2) Vendor Appeals Board Current vacancies (non City-employee)
Youth Council
  • June 15, 2020 (application deadline June 5, 2020)
  • September 21, 2020 (application deadline September 11, 2020)
  • December 21, 2020 (application deadline December 11, 2020)

The appointment schedule for 2021 is as follows:

  • March 15, 2021 (application deadline March 5, 2021 at 5:00 p.m.)
  • June 21, 2021 (application deadline June 11, 2021)
  • September 20, 2021 (application deadline September 15, 2021)
  • December 20, 2021 (application deadline December 15, 2021)

City Council Regular Meeting Schedule for 2020

Regularly scheduled Council meetings take place on the first and third Mondays of each month at 6:30 p.m. in Council Chambers at City Hall pursuant to Charlottesville City Code Section 2-41. If a regularly scheduled Council meeting falls on a holiday, then the meeting will take place on Tuesday. Council normally cancels one meeting during the summer months. In 2019, the Charlottesville City Council (2018-2019) cancelled its July 15 meeting. During the January 6, 2020 meeting, the current Council will discuss its preference for cancelling one of its summer meetings. If Council decides to cancel a meeting, the schedule will be amended to reflect the cancellation.

As of January 6, 2020, the proposed regular Council meeting schedule for 2020 is as follows:

  • Monday, January 6, 2020
  • Tuesday, January 21, 2020
  • February 3, 2020
  • Tuesday, February 18, 2020
  • March 2, 2020
  • March 16, 2020
  • April 6, 2020 - CANCELED
  • April 20, 2020 - Public hearings online *
Council held its first regular monthly meeting using a Virtual Meeting platform via Livestream (view only).
  • May 4, 2020 *
  • May 18, 2020 *
  • June 1, 2020 *
  • June 15, 2020 *
  • July 6, 2020 *
  • July 20, 2020 *
  • August 3, 2020 *
  • August 17, 2020 *
  • Tuesday, September 8, 2020 *
  • September 21, 2020 *
  • October 5, 2020 *
  • October 19, 2020 *
  • November 2, 2020 *
  • November 16, 2020 *
  • December 7, 2020 *
  • December 21, 2020 *
Italics indicate an adjusted date due to a holiday
Public hearings online *

City population

Population as of most recent census (April 1, 2010): 43,475

  • According to the current data from 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. Relative to local populations, Charlottesville has one seat for every 8,700 residents.
  • As for historically under-represented groups, the city has about the same percentage of blacks in council as in the general populations; in Charlottesville, blacks makeup 18.3 percent of the population [13] and 20 percent of the council.

General notes

  • Elections are non-partisan elections.
  • The council post videos of council meetings online as well as searchable databases of legislation.
  • Council does not post members’ personal financial disclosure statements or lobbying records.


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


References

  1. http://www.charlottesville.org/home/showdocument?id=63920
  2. https://www.dailyprogress.com/news/local/city/toscano-bell-oppose-city-charter-changes-likely-dooming-salary-proposal/article_463f627c-0fb0-11e9-a2dc-abcb4f9febda.html
  3. Web. City Council approves pay raise, taking its salaries to maximum, Chris Suarez, Daily Progress, Lee Enterprises, May 2, 2017, retrieved October 25, 2019.
  4. Web. Charlottesville City Council passes FY 2022 budget, Steve Rappaport, News Article, April 13, 2021, retrieved April 14, 2021.
  5. Web. Charlottesville City Council signs off on reduced fiscal year 2021 budget, Nolan Stout, Daily Progress, Lee Enterprises, June 1, 2020, retrieved December 11, 2020.
  6. https://www.cbs19news.com/story/41832185/proposed-fy-2021-budget-to-be-presented-to-charlottesville-city-council
  7. Web. Walker to continue as Charlottesville mayor; Magill named vice mayor, Nolan Stout, Daily Progress, Lee Enterprises
  8. Web. Walker to continue as Charlottesville mayor; Magill named vice mayor, Nolan Stout, dailyprogress.com, The Daily Progress, Charlottesville, VA, January 6, 2020, retrieved February 5, 2020.
  9. Web. Walker to continue as Charlottesville mayor; Magill named vice mayor, Nolan Stout, dailyprogress.com, The Daily Progress, Charlottesville, VA, January 6, 2020, retrieved February 5, 2020.
  10. Web. Magill made history with most votes of any City Council candidate in history, Nolan Stout, Daily Progress, Lee Enterprises, November 10, 2019, retrieved November 12, 2019. Print. November 10, 2019 page A1.
  11. 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
  12. http://www.nbc29.com/story/39094545/criticism-comes-down-on-city-council-for-clerk-of-council-budget-increase
  13. https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/charlottesvillecityvirginiacounty

External Links