Charlottesville City Council to hold public hearing on $50K for ReadyKids

Residents of Charlottesville demand a lot of their local government. There are many interest groups that are incredibly effective in packing City Hall during Council meetings to make certain demands. That is the way it has been since I’ve been covering Council dating back to 2007.

Council’s work session at 4 p.m. will be held on the topic of “Community Interventions” and the staff report said community desires fall into three categories: Community Safety, Homeless Services, and Quality of Life. (agenda overview)

“What is common among the categories is that there are multiple ways to consider addressing them and rarely is there one simple option available that everyone can agree on,” reads the staff report.

At times, you may see one advocacy group pack the public comment period to insist that their way forward is the best. That leaves Councilors wanting to send staff in different directions that may disrupt implementation of the existing strategic plan framework. 

At this work session, City Manager Sam Sanders will present Council with another framework to how to prioritize the priorities in crucial areas. 

“These areas of focus are by no means the only things that rank high on the To-Do List, but they are matters with elements of high urgency that require this specific moment to pause and consider ways to intervene, disrupt, and change the outcomes facing members of our community,” Sanders write in a staff report.

The regular meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. with a proclamation for Camp Holiday Trails. The organization turns 50 on November 2, 2024. 

“In 1974 Camp Holiday Trails, a year-round nonprofit camp based in Charlottesville, became one of the first camps in the region to welcome children with diverse medical diagnoses and their siblings,” reads a resolution. “For the past 50 years, Camp Holiday Trails has empowered over 10,000 campers by offering traditional camp activities and teaching them to manage their medical diagnoses in a supportive and inclusive environment.”

Some items on the consent agenda are worth a review.

• There is a second reading of an appropriation of $12,500 from the Virginia State Police for equipment related to the Help Eliminate Auto Theft (HEAT) program. Specifically reimbursements related to the Berla Toolkit. (staff report)
• There is a second reading for an appropriation of $350,000 for equipment to maintain the Meadowcreek Golf Course. The staff report argues that purchasing the equipment is cheaper than renting it. There’s a life cycle of five years. (staff report)
• There is a second reading of the first payment to Habitat and Piedmont Housing Alliance for their purchase of the Carlton Mobile Home Park. This is for$379,000 forgivable loan. (staff report)
• There is a second reading for an ordinance establishing a Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) program to encourage investment in newer heating and cooling systems as well as other programs. (staff report)
• There is a second reading of an amendment to the proffers for the rezoning at 240 Stribling to allow for eight affordable units to be built off-site rather than on site. (staff report)
• There is the only reading for the acceptance of an vehicle from the University of Virginia for the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Fellowship program. (staff report)
• There is the first of two readings in the appropriation of $90,321.98 in COVID funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development that have not yet been appropriated. Council will decide later how the money will be used. (staff report)
• There is the first of two readings to appropriate an additional $93,654 grant from the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development for homeless solutions. Most will go to the Haven for the “Rapid Rehousing” program. (staff report)
• There is the first of two readings to appropriate $115,400.58 from the Supreme Court of Virginia’s Behavioral Health Docket. The funding passes through to Offender Aid and Registration. (staff report)
• There are two items related to allowing the city to collect slightly higher court fees. 

There are two public hearings.

The first is for an amendment to the city’s plan for how Community Development Block Grants are used. The proposal is to reallocate $50,000 in funds for ReadyKids to address one of the legacies of the pandemic. 

“ReadyKids continues to refine their understanding of the profound impacts of the COVID pandemic on the mental health and school readiness of area children and youth,” reads a staff report. “Research and data indicate that as a direct result of the pandemic youth are experiencing higher rates of isolation, depression, and anxiety.” 

In 2023, ReadyKids was not able to fulfill 408 referrals. This funding is intended to assist them in their mission. 

The second public hearing is for a lease of 1520 East High Street to the Rivanna River Company of the land the city purchased last year to stop development of a residential complex. The Charlottesville Economic Development Authority is handling the five-year lease. 

“The lease functions essentially as a ground lease and the tenant bears all expenses associated with maintaining the property and the business and pays a monthly rent of $800 with an annual increase,” reads the staff report. “In addition, the tenant agrees to brush-hog the entire parcel and maintain a trash can along the Rivanna Trail for public use.” 

Next up Council will have a second reading on an amendment to the ordinance that governs the Police Civilian Oversight Board. This one clarifies who can be on the board. (staff report)

There will also be a request from the owners of a restaurant in Belmont to build in the city’s right of way, a technical term known as encroachment. This would be for a canopy at Mas that would require footers on public property. Staff in the Utilities and Engineering department are recommending denial. 

“Both departments are against both forms of encroachment, as the encroachments will impact their ability to service or provide future service in the right-of-way in those areas,” reads the staff report.

There are three items under General Business. 

• The first is for an appointment to the Youth Council. 
• The second is for an update from the Rivanna Water and Sewer Authority and the Rivanna Solid Waste Authority (staff report)
• The third is for the city’s legislative priorities for the 2025 General Assembly. I’ll write this one up afterward as I have done for Albemarle last week. (draft priorities)

Before you go: The time to write and research of this article is covered by paid subscribers to Charlottesville Community Engagement. In fact, this particular installment is from the October 21, 2024 Week Ahead edition of the newsletter.