Name: November 1, 2022 City Council Work Session - Nov 1st, 2022
Uploaded: 2022-11-01T00:00:00Z
Duration: 1 h 41 min 35 s
Description: The tunnel estimate is about $70 million, and then the combined, there's three other projects that we have to do to complete the program they range from $47 million.

[1:11] Welcome to the 4 p.m. work session of Lynchburg City Council on Borettam sitting in for Mayor Dolan who is unable to be here this evening. As like last time, we will start with a work session agenda overview by Mr. Benda.

[1:41] considering that we're amongst the remits, the holidays.

[1:45] Last Margett, up sure our city's economic development director

[1:48] to engage us on those upcoming events

[1:51] and what they may be for us.

[1:54] Then we're going to turn to the 2023 legislative agenda.

[1:59] I gave each of you a draft of it.

[2:02] A week ago here, and then prior to that,

[2:05] have put in sense, you emails that show you 2022.

[2:09] you're adopted in the 2023 and there are some changes in form and what it looks like and

[2:15] so just want to make sure that we touch on it tonight and that the idea would be that we

[2:21] convene for the 14th Monday November 14th at 6 p.m. for the legislative dinner at University

[2:27] of Lynchburg to engage our local delegation for them to give us feedback with the ultimate

[2:31] culmination of if it's your pleasure to adopt that legislative agenda on December 13th.

[2:38] You have two business item briefings, and before I turn it back, Mr. Vice Mayor, if it's okay,

[2:45] I sent you in your peers last evening an email about a polling place correction.

[2:50] And if it's to be helpful to the registrar, I thought to read it to you here so as to help amplify

[2:57] some of what she's trying to accomplish was there was a bit of a data transfer error that caused

[3:03] some people to believe that their polling place had changed when it had not.

[3:07] So I'll read that if it's okay with you.

[3:09] Surprise Mayor.

[3:11] I have been made aware that a data transfer error in the city's GIS system has caused

[3:15] a miscommunication regarding polling locations,

[3:18] and precincts 4-1 and 4-2, that affects approximately 400 voters on certain streets within

[3:25] those precincts.

[3:26] These addresses were notified by the registrar's office several weeks ago that their polling

[3:30] place, San Tuskegee Middle, school, and St. Thomas Moore Catholic Church had changed when

[3:34] in fact it had not.

[3:37] As I understand it, the error was immediately corrected, and the registrar's office has

[3:41] notified by mail all affected addresses.

[3:45] The city's GIS records have been updated, and as I understand it, the Board of Elections

[3:48] has been notified.

[3:50] All redistricting data sent to the state is correct.

[3:53] If any affected voters have questions, they should contact the registrar's office for clarification

[3:59] at four, three, four, four, four, seven, seven, five, nine, nine, nine. Again, that number is

[4:06] four, three, four, four, seven, seven, five, nine, nine, nine, nine. And I've since received

[4:11] coming into Chambers here an update from the city of Registrar to specify to exactly those

[4:18] streets in those particular words. The addresses impacted included 116, 14, north, wind, circle,

[4:26] So, 1700 through 1815 Heritage Circle 204 through 314 Forest Dale Drive.

[4:36] Those are those are those addresses.

[4:39] And hearing nothing else or anything from you Mr. Rice may have turned back to you in your peers.

[4:45] All right, we'll move forward then to the work session agenda items.

[4:49] And number one is the combined sewer overflow CSO 52 Tunnel Project.

[4:52] And boy, this is really setting Mr. Mitchell.

[5:00] Good afternoon. Vice Mayor, members of Council, thank you for the opportunity to give you an update on our CSO program and specifically CSO 52 project. And I'll get started with that. Just to refresh everybody's memory of what a combined sewer system is. Typically, the, well, the combined system is a single pipe that collects both sanitary sewer and storm water.

[5:28] And typically, during dry weather, there's no issue.

[5:32] All that flow gets devoted to the water resource recovery facility, and there's no issues.

[5:38] But when we have a rainfall event, water also enters that system through the downspouts and

[5:44] stone grains and it overwhelms the system.

[5:46] So throughout our city, we have overflow points that relieve the excess flow.

[5:53] So, the discharges combined flow of sewer and stormwater directly to the streams.

[6:01] So, CSO was a state-of-the-art construction method back in the mid-1800s and early 1900s.

[6:13] So, overall throughout the nation, there's about 860 CSO cities.

[6:17] In Virginia, there's three Alexandria, Richmond, and Lynchburg.

[6:24] Alexandria and Richmond have specific completion dates dictated by the General Assembly,

[6:30] and the recent General Assembly action.

[6:33] Right now, we don't have a specific date that we have to be complete with our program,

[6:37] and we're still under our consent order, which is a financially driven order.

[6:42] Today, we will eliminate 115 out of the 132 overflow points, and we're going to disturb

[6:47] a full volume by about 93 percent, and spend over $300 million on the program so far.

[6:54] The map on the left is important to note for a couple of reasons.

[6:58] The red dots are the CSO overflow points in the city, you can see they're kind of around

[7:05] the perimeter of downtown and the downtown area and along the riverfront.

[7:10] The combined area is the tan area or brown area, which is a little hard to see, but that's about 950 acres.

[7:18] Originally when we started the program as over 6,000.

[7:22] Another important point about the map is the black dashed line, which is the boundary of the drainage area going to CSO 52.

[7:33] And this includes areas like Ward's Road, Lakeside Drive,

[7:39] Temporalake, 221, and all the areas in between.

[7:41] So it's about two-thirds of the city,

[7:43] which is important.

[7:44] I'll mention that in more than a just a minute.

[7:48] This is a picture of CSO 52.

[7:51] It's along the point of honor trail between Hans Mill and downtown.

[7:56] And when we have a rainfall event, this activates.

[8:00] So these valves open up and there's raw sewage

[8:03] and storm water going into the blackwater creek along the trail.

[8:08] One of the other problems we have in this area is also we have hover flows at the manholes,

[8:13] so we have manholes, sewage, come out of the manhole tops.

[8:18] This overflow point is a permitted overflow point, so we can stay in place, but we have to address

[8:24] the overflows coming out of the tops of the manholes as well.

[8:28] So, we're not dealing with just a CSO compliance issue with this point, we're also dealing with a development issue.

[8:37] So, rainfall events is a little as a six-month storm can cause us to overflow.

[8:43] So, technically we don't have any capacity available in the sewer line.

[8:47] So, if you go back to that map, the previous slide, we technically should be looking at limiting development and redevelopment within that black dashed area.

[8:57] So we really needed to holistic approach to fix the problem, to address the CSO issue as well as the development needs of that area.

[9:09] We looked at a number of options, which I'll go over here very briefly.

[9:15] First option we looked at was a parallel pipe, so this would be just another sewer interceptor, a large diameter sewer line that would be run parallel to the existing sewer line.

[9:25] The problem with this is, in this corridor, there's really no space for another large sewer line.

[9:34] And it also does not address through our modeling and studying of the system does not address the development needs.

[9:44] So it would help alleviate some of the overflow at the CSO overflow point, but it does not completely eliminate the manhole lid issue.

[9:54] in the sewage coming out of the manholes.

[9:57] Another option that we looked at was storage.

[9:59] We looked.

[10:00] Building a big storage tank at various locations along the sewer line. The problem with that is, again, space is a big issue, because we need about 4 million gallons of storage space.

[10:13] So if you've been to the Westwater Recovery facility and seen that big tank that we just built there, it'd be basically another one of those tanks somewhere along the sewer line.

[10:24] And potentially buried and there potentially could be other issues and a number of other issues associated with that.

[10:32] And conjunction with storage would also for a couple of those locations would have to build a parallel pipe as well.

[10:39] We also looked at separation.

[10:42] This is what we've been doing up until the last 10 years is doing complete separation.

[10:48] and built in a new sewer line and storm line in areas that are combined so we would in any area

[10:55] that was still combined the drain to CSO 52 we do a separation project but this is the most

[11:01] costly option and still did not address the development aids.

[11:08] So finally we looked at a deep tunnel and a number of CSO localities are using tunnels to address

[11:17] there's CSO issues.

[11:20] But Alexandria and Richmond are using tunnels.

[11:23] Alexandria has started a very large CSO tunnel project.

[11:28] The tunnel itself would be about 4,300 feet long, 12 to 14 feet

[11:34] and finished diameter, and be about 70 to 100 feet in the ground.

[11:39] So it would be a massive project.

[11:42] And it would store about 4,000,000 gallons of sewage.

[11:46] I'm not going to go through these alternatives analysis, but this is just illustrating

[11:52] the different options we looked at.

[11:54] The benefits of the options are drawbacks, the cost, and of these options, again, the

[12:03] tunnel option kind of rose to the top is the most, if you look at it from a cost per gallon

[12:10] of sewage-illiminated standpoint, it was the most cost-effective.

[12:15] It's not the cheapest option, but it's the most cost-effective from that standpoint.

[12:20] And overall, it has the biggest benefit from both the development needs standpoint and the CSO program standpoint.

[12:31] So one of the first things we had to do to determine if the tunnel was even feasible was to do some geotechnical work.

[12:38] So, at various locations along the Tunnel Potential Tunnel alignment, we've already done some

[12:43] geotechnical work.

[12:45] This is borings into the ground about a hundred feet deep, and with those borings, we need

[12:51] to look at the rock, because one of the things you want with the tunnel is you wanted

[12:56] in completely in rock, and it's kind of counterintuitive, but the rock gives structural integrity

[13:02] around the tunnel. So you build a tunnel in rock and you want it in to as a geotechnical

[13:08] engineers term competent rock. You want to blow the weather surface of the rock so that

[13:15] it's completely encapsulated in rock and there's no issues with structural issues or

[13:21] another issue with the tunnels is groundwater. You don't want a lot of groundwater entering the

[13:25] tunnel because then you have to deal with that and pump that as you're constructing the tunnel.

[13:31] And the results that we've gotten back from that jet network is that it's very favorable for a tunnel to be constructed in this area.

[13:46] Project of this magnitude, it definitely has its challenges.

[13:51] We'd have a small staging area.

[13:53] There were some areas where we had some site surface contamination that since then determined not to be a significant issue.

[14:02] We're dealing with a couple bridges, the railroad, floodplain issues, the river.

[14:09] There's also a geological fault in this area.

[14:13] Limited-out hydraulic head means that there's very little slope from one end of the tunnel to the next.

[14:19] Obviously, with a project like this, you'd have operations and maintenance ongoing,

[14:24] and that costs associated with that.

[14:26] and then we'd have to acquire subterranean easements for any properties that we would cross under.

[14:32] And then schedule is another issue and I'll get to that more in just a minute as well.

[14:37] So to build a tunnel like this, you first have to construct a shaft.

[14:41] And the shaft would be about 35 feet in diameter, 70 to 80 feet deep, and then it would be concrete

[14:49] line to make sure that there's no rocks and debris falling into the structure and that ultimately

[14:55] would become a pump station at the end of the project.

[15:01] And that's where the tunnel would start. So, when you're looking at a different construction methods of a tunnel, there's a tunnel boring machine that could be used. The problem, and I'll go into the present concept of these options in just a second, or drilling blast, so that would be basically hand excavation hand mining of the tunnel with entire length.

[15:29] And I won't get through all these, but the highlights, the advantages of a ton of boring

[15:37] machine is that once you start, you can exclate 70 to 80 feet per day, so it's a pretty fast

[15:46] process of moving the ton of boring machine through the rock,

[15:53] and it's suited for long

[15:55] over 4,000 feet. So we're right on that border line of using a ton of boring machine versus

[16:00] drilling glass. Ton of boring machines, one of the problems with that is there's a long

[16:06] lead time to procure a ton of boring machine. Most of them are manufactured in Belgium or Germany

[16:13] and they're typically constructed for the project itself and with a project like airs more than likely

[16:22] the tonal boarding machine would excavate beyond the end of the tunnel and then it would

[16:27] just be buried and left there because these big machines don't back up very easily.

[16:33] Drilling blast is the more likely option that we would go with.

[16:41] It requires a smaller area to start off with, a smaller staging area and then also we could

[16:50] also follow the curve of the stream more easily with a drill and blast operation so that might

[16:56] help avoid some easements in some other issues.

[17:03] So as I mentioned, drill and blast is probably the most likely option that we would look

[17:08] at.

[17:09] These are just a few pictures of the drill and blast operation kind of during the drilling and

[17:15] then what the finished tunnel would look like.

[17:22] Another challenge we would have is we would have to be able to get the sewage into the tunnel

[17:27] at the CSO-52 overflow point.

[17:31] So this is an option that we're looking at at that point.

[17:34] This is called a raise board.

[17:36] So basically the picture on the left is a boring head,

[17:41] but it would be moved into the tunnel at the location

[17:45] where we would want the drop shaft to be.

[17:49] And then it would be connected to a shaft at the surface

[17:52] and jacked upwards as the drop shaft is being excavated.

[18:01] This is basically what the downstream end of the tunnel would look like after the project

[18:07] is completed.

[18:09] The drop shaft would be converted into a pump station and you'd have to have an electrical

[18:13] building and access to the pumps and there'd also be a diversion structure constructed

[18:19] But here is well so that we could be able to diverge sewage into the tunnel from both

[18:25] the ends of the tunnel, which would potentially look at the CSO controls that we showed earlier

[18:33] on in the presentation.

[18:35] We potentially could achieve a greater CSO control with that after we get to the design process.

[18:45] Just looking at the costs of the CSO program and the tunnel, right now, the estimated cost to finish the program is about $86 million.

[18:58] The tunnel estimate is about $70 million, and then the combined, there's three other projects that we have to do to complete the program they range from $47 million.

[19:10] Now, I'll caveat that with the fact that we're in a kind of an unpredictable environment

[19:15] now, with construction and construction costs, we're seeing bids come in very much higher

[19:22] than we have seen in the past, supply issues are an issue as well, so these prices could change

[19:32] based upon our estimates today. This is what the cost would be. Looking at a current funding in

[19:40] many of you may remember, 2021, General Assembly Special Session, we received $25 million

[19:46] in our defense. That was, in conjunction with that, we had to have a $25 million match,

[19:54] which we would use originally a clean water revolving loan funds as the match and those are

[19:59] 0%

[20:00] Your slides are typically principle forgiveness loans. Our portion of principle forgiveness. And then also in the 2022 General Assembly session, we received another $25 million.

[20:14] So that's a total of $75 million that we've got dedicated, or we soon have dedicated to the CSI program.

[20:24] The rest of the difference, the additional $11 million, again, we're not on any timelines so

[20:31] that could come at a future date or as air ability to fund those projects as we do our

[20:40] budgets and in compliance with the consent order, those funds may be available as well.

[20:47] The big issue with the ARPA funds is the timeline.

[20:50] We have to have projects bid and close on the grant by December 2024, and the projects must

[20:57] be complete or substantially, substantially, completely by December 2026.

[21:02] So for a project of this magnitude, that's a very tight timeline.

[21:08] But looking at roughly at the schedule, we've finished the geotechnical work about March.

[21:14] We expect to have the preliminary engineering report done, and then by November, the plan

[21:19] to have the design complete and bid the project and start construction by March of 2024.

[21:27] And project complete by December 2026.

[21:32] And that's end of the presentation. I'll be glad to take any questions or any comments.

[21:48] That this is the tunnel is for CSO 52. Of course that's not the only CSO location that still needs to be

[21:57] closed, correct?

[22:00] These are 52 overflow point would still remain open for an extreme weather event.

[22:06] This would address most of the overflows that would occur at that point, but it would still

[22:12] remain there, but the overflows would be extremely infrequent, it would just be a very big storm

[22:21] event that would cause an overflow there.

[22:23] So the A6 million that you mentioned, is that for all the CSO work forever and on, or is that just for CSO 52?

[22:31] No, that's all that we have to do to be in compliance with our consent order.

[22:37] So once we complete those projects, CSO 52 and the other three projects, then we're working with the EQ now,

[22:47] Department of Environmental Quality now on what

[22:50] at post-construction monitoring plan would look like.

[22:53] So after we complete the program, then we have to go back in

[22:57] and do sampling, flow measurement, and everything else

[23:00] to basically prove that the controls that we put in place were

[23:05] as effective as we said they were going to be.

[23:08] And if they're not, then we have to do what have to do more.

[23:12] We're very confident, especially if we do this tunnel project

[23:16] that we will have done enough to complete the program, but that process will occur after

[23:23] we've finished the last project, and then we'll have on one monitoring forever basically,

[23:32] but basically there'd be a monitoring period that we'd have to do to prove that we've done

[23:38] enough and we can call in the end to the program.

[23:43] And a moment ago about the sewer shed and a concern about development within that sewer shed.

[23:53] Can you say more about that and how we should interpret that as when we are thinking, for example,

[23:59] this discussion has been alive when lately about development in the city and where it happens and how.

[24:05] So again, this is the black dashed area,

[24:09] is that line of the sewer shed that drains the 52.

[24:14] And right now, we're having an overflow events

[24:17] with this little as a six-month storm event

[24:20] along the trail.

[24:23] And at this point, we're not under any specific orders

[24:29] from DEQ to address that problem.

[24:32] And they're basically there wanting us to finish our CSO program and see how that impacts

[24:41] the overflows along the trail.

[24:43] But based upon error analysis, we're still going to have a lot of overflows along the

[24:48] trail.

[24:49] At any point in time, the DQ could come in and say, because we're overflowing manholes along

[24:56] trail, we have to shut down development or win.

[25:00] Could allow no new connections to the sewer line until we address the problem or have a plan to address the problem.

[25:08] So, again, it's not something that we, especially a project of this magnitude, not something that we could do overnight.

[25:15] This is an opportunity to do it in conjunction with the RCSO program and utilize the funding that we've received to help address the development issues as well.

[25:25] You can do account when making zoning decisions, especially for large developments, that it

[25:33] could potentially, but again, if that could change if D.C. became involved in that aspect of

[25:43] their operation as well.

[25:46] History of doing that, is that something they tend to do?

[25:51] There has not been a lot of development moratoriums that I'm aware of with DQ, as long

[25:57] as the localities are taking reasonable efforts to address the issues, but there could

[26:04] be fines and other penalties associated with it if we don't address it as well.

[26:17] Always best in any of your presentations, particularly because of the engineering that goes on

[26:22] with all of our city projects.

[26:25] I remember when the CSO separation was first initiated.

[26:30] I would very young man.

[26:32] And there was discussion about how much progress

[26:34] the city was making.

[26:36] And how soon we're going to complete it and comply

[26:38] with DEQ and EPA regulations.

[26:42] And then 10 years ago, by and suddenly,

[26:47] they moved the goal post and the standards changed.

[26:51] and suddenly we had to have a much more robust plan to deal with what's been in the ground

[26:56] for over a century, is that the Vice Mayor has raised a good question as to how it impacts

[27:04] our decisions about development.

[27:07] My concern is it likely that the standards and criteria of EPA and DEQ are going to change

[27:15] such that what has been satisfactory will be antiquated simply because the rules of

[27:23] So we're hopeful not.

[27:26] I would think that based upon my knowledge of our system,

[27:31] we'd have other areas that we would have to do,

[27:34] maybe do some more, looking at the map of those,

[27:38] there's 17 remaining overflow points in the system.

[27:44] I don't know for sure, but based upon my knowledge and my history of working with the

[27:50] Q, there may be some additional controls that we'd have to do at some of these other overflow

[27:56] points, but if we do this project, we should give us a buffer of what we were supposed

[28:05] to do with our CSO program and where we ultimately end up, so we'll end up better than we

[28:20] And another primary reason for that is to make sure that we have capacity for future development.

[28:28] If we don't do this project with a tunnel, then it's very likely that we don't have the capacity for future development.

[28:41] The candidness of your answer, one of the other questions I have relates to the illustration

[28:48] that shows a tunnel inclined toward a water body.

[28:54] And then there's a tunnel or a channel or large pipe that goes over to the treatment plant.

[28:59] And there's a dam constructed at the lower end of the tunnel that inhibits free flow into

[29:06] the body of water except when there's a major flush and it can then go over that down. Is that

[29:13] correct? Correct. An air system, that's an illustration basically, but an air, and

[29:21] those overflow points are constructed differently with different cities and everything. Typically

[29:26] for us, it's a manhole with a pipe that's at a higher elevation than the sewer line at the

[29:33] So, when the manual starts filling up with the combined flow, then it will go through that overflow pipe to the stream.

[29:42] So, but those overflow structures can be very simple like that, or it will be very sophisticated.

[29:48] We have no overflow structure in Riverfront Park, for example, that has a weir and a bar screen, the catches, the solids and floatables,

[29:57] and then those solid...

[30:00] We'll fall back into the sewer stream after the overflow subsides. And then we also have another very complex and very heavily engineered overflow point CSO 56, which is behind Peedmont Mills. It's a very unique structure. There's only one other like it in the world, for example. So, again, they vary from very simple to very complex.

[30:25] And the question was instigated because I'm looking at a diagram that has a specific element in the diagram that his reference does a dam.

[30:37] But these are really risers and overflow pipes, not dams, way down in the tunnel.

[30:44] And this tunnel basically would be the tunnel again would be 70 to 100 feet below the surface of the ground and in order to get the water out of the tunnel would have to pump it.

[30:58] So basically the during a rainfall event the water would be divided into the tunnel the tunnel would fill up and then once the rainfall event passed the the pumps would kick on and pump the sewage that's in the tunnel back into the sewer line.

[31:12] and then it goes to the wastewater plant to be treated.

[31:16] The third question deals with that tunnel-boring machine.

[31:21] That's fascinating.

[31:23] And you said that because of the difficulty in backing it up and pulling it out of the tunnel,

[31:29] it would be left at some point.

[31:31] Would that be at the lower end toward the body of water or would it be

[31:36] boring in the other direction and going uphill?

[31:39] the excavation of the Tamil tunnel would essentially start at U.S. pipe and go towards

[31:46] Hans Mill up so it would be left potentially left in the ground at the near the CSO

[31:56] 52 overflow point, which is a pleasure to Hans Mill.

[32:01] Is that Boeing machine necessary to construct the connection tunnel to the treatment plant

[32:08] or is a large tunnel not necessary to complete that flow of water, or flow of stormwater?

[32:16] Basically, the tunnel would end at the U.S. pipe, and there would be a pump station constructed

[32:21] there.

[32:23] So, the tunnel would fill up, and then the pump station from there would pump it back into

[32:26] the existing sewer line and the gauge from that point to the wastewater treatment plant.

[32:33] So, there would not need to be an additional pipe from that point to the wastewater plant.

[32:37] It would just use the same existing pipeline, but it pump into that pipeline once the flows

[32:43] subside and the rainfall event has passed.

[32:50] And, Trigging, thank you for that, that's all.

[33:01] Secure at the 75 million.

[33:06] There's one step in the process, I think.

[33:09] Mr. Binders want to mention in a minute, but there's one other step in the process to secure

[33:13] that funding, but we have 75 million available.

[33:16] So the additional 11, where are we thinking to get that from?

[33:22] That would come, again, we don't have, we're not on a timeline.

[33:28] Once we commit to this tunnel project, we need to make it happen basically because that's

[33:34] where the $75 million would go towards the bulk of the $75 million.

[33:40] The other three projects are not on a specific timeline, but again, we'd look at that with

[33:46] each year with their capital projects in middle to see if we have enough capacity to borrow

[33:54] for that additional $11 million with our CSO Consignal or we have certain financial

[34:01] criteria we have to meet and there may be enough debt capacity to borrow the additional

[34:09] $11 million as well.

[34:14] Just if you remember the timing in the state budget this past year was a bit later than the moment we is.

[34:21] And good news was that we received 25 more million from the state to help with this project.

[34:25] And so we have to accept that money by February the timeframes.

[34:30] So at some point at one of your impending meetings there's going to be that provision to accept those resources from the state that will be applied to this project that Tim is about before you.

[34:42] on that 11 million additional, not at that time, but as we get into the project further.

[34:49] Well, the tunnel project is about $70 million. And we already have some, the only thing

[34:57] that we're only funding that we're committed to right now.

[35:00] Now, it was a $25 million match. There was, for last year's appropriation. There's no match with this current $25 million appropriation.

[35:11] So, that doesn't obligate us to any additional funding beyond the $75 million.

[35:20] All right. Thank you.

[35:22] All right. Well, item two holiday events, and that is Ms. Upsher.

[35:26] Good

[35:38] afternoon, Vice Mayor.

[35:39] Members of Council, head of bringing your tattings of great joy about the update you this afternoon on special events that are happening throughout the city during the holiday season to the end of 2022.

[35:54] And the list that we're providing you today, it includes both events that are permitted by our office as well as events that are open to the public.

[36:03] And these events I just want to remind you are, let me see if I have this here, that

[36:09] you was going to do I have a slide.

[36:13] Okay, no problem.

[36:14] Thank you.

[36:16] Anyway, we passed the handout now, everyone's called Apologize.

[36:22] These events create economic impact, and they contribute to the quality of life in the city

[36:28] Lynchburg. So we want to prepare our citizens and our neighbors in the region and our visitors

[36:36] to be prepared to shop, die, and be entertained locally during this special season. And I just

[36:42] wanted to give you an example. As we look at these events, the human kind of Turkey tribe

[36:50] has been going on for 34 years now. And many cities across the nation have looked at how to

[36:58] attract talent into their municipalities and one of the easiest ways to do that is to try

[37:05] and reach out to those that have a connection, whether it be friends, family or your alma mater,

[37:14] trying to convince them to come back home. And so we have used the Turkey tribe every year as a

[37:23] are to tell Lynchburg's largest family reunion. When people come back for Thanksgiving,

[37:30] they're there. They come that morning. It is absolutely fantastic to run a walk early that

[37:36] morning. It's also four great calls and we are targeting them. So there's an element of workforce

[37:45] development and talent attraction even in our special events. So there was years ago, I remember

[37:53] sitting in a room in Buffalo, New York, had done a mass mailing campaign to the families

[38:00] of people that had moved away to try to attract that talent to come back. So that's one of the

[38:06] the strategies that we use is when the folks come back home, it's a fabulous Christmas morning,

[38:13] There's not a lot of traffic and you can think about perhaps taking one of the jobs that are open right now and coming back home.

[38:23] So I just wanted you to know there is, there are a lot more than just a great special event.

[38:30] So please remember that this list, so it's broken down by permitted city special events, parks and racks.

[38:38] Some of them aren't here yet, the Missleto market, I know that Parks and

[38:43] Recall, if we come forward with what's going on at the community market,

[38:46] it's just wouldn't available yet, amazement square, the academy, then the community

[38:51] events, everybody knows about, we'll have small business Saturday and the Virginia

[38:56] Christmas Spectacular that draws, you know, two of us and everything that's

[39:01] an unbelievable event, but we wanted the public to know that all these

[39:07] line up and the Christmas parade makes sure I got it right. I just checked it again. It's on the

[39:13] fourth December. And please know that things are subject to change. If anybody out there has events

[39:23] that they would like for us to post on the website, please get in touch or you can find an updated list

[39:29] at lunchforgbogenia.org slash events.

[39:34] Thank you.

[39:36] This is really cheerful.

[39:38] Dr. Wilder, do you want to say anything?

[39:39] I just want to thank you for the information you have to do.

[39:41] I think it's always such a great time for the in-the-lunch

[39:44] Reg area.

[39:45] And it's so many spectacularly events going forth.

[39:47] I remember when I was working in Washington,

[39:49] I was home on weekends, when I was head of the case in Boston.

[39:53] I would like to watch it in a quote of playing from DC to Boston.

[39:57] And the late and front of me had been in Lynchburg.

[39:59] Thank you.

[40:00] It came in for the Christmas, exactly a Thomas Road. It should talk about with the late next

[40:04] tour about how much he enjoyed it, how much he comes in from Boston every year for an event

[40:09] in Nishberg. So I just thought it was so nice to see so many great events going on

[40:12] at a track's person from all over the country here.

[40:16] Thank you. Thank you very much.

[40:24] I just had a business owner called me yesterday and pretty disappointed and discouraged that economic development hasn't been really focusing on the job losses and we got a thousand jobs that we just lost and we're I'm going to appreciate the holiday events

[40:43] I just, what are we doing to actually attract companies?

[40:48] What are we doing to promote our economy?

[40:50] I think that's, I'd like that focus more than,

[40:53] I appreciate the nice holiday events,

[40:58] but focusing on jobs and growing our economy with my,

[41:01] I'd like to see a little bit more of it.

[41:03] Thank you.

[41:04] Thank you.

[41:04] It has to be a little bit of a good statement to make sure that the manager recently, when one of the companies left our community, we did get a report about what the economic development department was doing to attract more companies to make sure a company's state, to see what support the city could offer for those.

[41:21] So we have been given some information about companies and about workforce and how really we were trying to not try to protect but KDC1, even in their departure, how we as a community can partner with them and get other persons implores.

[41:34] to do trade number two.

[41:36] You know, CBCC is working on a couple of projects.

[41:38] Work, workforce development,

[41:39] to bring to those personal retrain in that time period.

[41:42] So I have seen economic development do be really strong

[41:45] of those efforts to help retrain workers.

[41:48] And I also have to try to keep companies here

[41:50] and to see what a lot of those needs are.

[41:52] So I've seen, you know, some different sides.

[41:57] Well, put, and I think it's one of those opportunities

[41:59] that while it was a communication to you and your peers

[42:02] to immediately meet what was happening

[42:04] and what we were doing, that could be something

[42:06] easily that we could bring forward to City Council and do here in Chambers and talk through

[42:10] all the ways in which we're trying to make Lynchbury that place that you relocate and start

[42:16] a business and retain you and keep you going. Absolutely. Thank you for both number three, the 2023

[42:24] Legislative agenda. Yes, thank you Mr. Vice Mayor members of City Council. In my remarks,

[42:30] leading into the evening, I told you that I've given you all last year's adopted legislative agenda

[42:37] and this year's draft agent, and the process or what I propose as a process is to the

[42:42] evening I'll have made certain decisions on those elements or aspects that we would want to

[42:50] highlight. Feedback that I hear from our local delegation is that there are literally thousands

[42:54] of bills annually that they have to put into play and or manage as they're at this state assembly

[43:01] and they want to know from you us what's of import for the city of Lynchburg. And so what I

[43:07] I've attempted to do working with Mercedes-Bron,

[43:10] and she's worked with the 17 departments

[43:12] in our constitutional officers and appointees

[43:15] and different people to say, well, what's really

[43:17] of import for the city of Lynchburg?

[43:19] And thinking through too, because we now members of both,

[43:23] Virginia for cities and also Virginia Municipal League.

[43:26] And I don't know that you know, and probably

[43:28] many of you do, they too have packages that

[43:31] outlined at Nazium, those things that are important,

[43:35] particularly for the people that are members

[43:37] of those associations, and then to what I've suggested by way of example here is to maybe separate

[43:42] out some of the stuff that's maybe carried by, for example, Utilies Director, Tim Mitchell

[43:47] that was just before you.

[43:49] He has a body or constituents of folks that he's a part of that's a group.

[43:52] They annually have certain things that they really marshal for, so what I'm trying to do with

[43:57] this is to reflect, I hope, what's really important for our city and that we can get it

[44:02] before a delegation and before the state assembly.

[44:04] And so before you, in the evening, what I propose is the three key principles I outlined

[44:12] in my email to each of you that two of which were very similar to last year, one of which

[44:18] was recessed into the body, the emergency ECOs and temporary detention orders, TDOs,

[44:24] was something that you had highlighted last year. And so same thing this year where I've made a

[44:34] 911 reclassification. I don't know that you are aware, but support for this classification

[44:42] as a state public safety first responder within the Virginia retirement system is something

[44:47] that, as of it, would be beneficial right now. I'm carrying 14 vacancies in the Emergency Operations

[44:54] Center. Melissa would have been here this evening, but she had some things come up.

[45:00] And that we're trying even down to the literature that we use to attract trainees into the program using a bit more of a caricature approach that looks like a video game, because responders are younger, and they've been with tech and some other things, so this is another element or aspect that when thinking about making sure that that we're competitive in that realm, because it's a hard job.

[45:27] You've three different shifts, one of which is at midnight.

[45:32] You're receiving phone calls from people in distress.

[45:35] And so it can be one of those positions or jobs that's tough.

[45:43] And so we're trying to think about all the ways in which to make it as attractive as possible.

[45:48] And so I'd offer as one of the key principles and talking to our local

[45:50] delegation.

[45:51] This would be one of those.

[45:52] This is from last year.

[45:53] The next two, I have Chief Zootima here, I'd ask him to, he's going to speak more to maybe

[46:01] an update on the ECOs and TDOs, and then also this swatting.

[46:05] I don't know that you've paid attention, but there's been a national occurrence.

[46:09] I know that here within the Commonwealth, and I remember in Southampton roads and some other

[46:12] areas, there's some things that happen where they've gotten a non-room on one call or some

[46:17] kind of other communication that's something's happening and that they go into a lockdown.

[46:21] And so, in this assembly, there's a movement by several counties to include, I'd offer the city of Lynchburg to address this.

[46:28] And so, if a mental or a Mr. Rice Mayor, I'd turn it over to Chief Student Law to talk about these next two.

[46:38] Afternoon, Mr. Rice Mayor, members of Council.

[46:40] As you know, he's heard me at this podium many times, talk about ECOs and TDOs and what we're trying to do is change legislation very simply so that law enforcement officers are responsible to go to the crisis.

[46:54] Stabilize that situation, keep the individual who's in crisis safe, any other family members,

[47:00] neighbors who are friends that are around them safe, and get that individual to a place

[47:04] for mental health treatment.

[47:06] We do that right now.

[47:08] The downside is that after that, unfortunately, we are then in many cases standing by with

[47:12] that person who's in crisis for hours and in many cases days.

[47:17] We've seen someone as young as four-year-old child that we've sat with, and it's old

[47:22] is 93 that we've sat with and so the goal of this legislation is to basically force the state

[47:30] to put some type of structure in place that would allow someone other than a sworn-long

[47:36] forceman officer to sit with that patient while they're under an ECO as well as sit with

[47:41] that patient to transport them to various localities around the state for mental health treatment.

[47:47] Again, that we have seen and you've seen the numbers I've shown you before, but they rough

[47:52] the last since about 2016, we spent very conservatively over $2 million of our taxpayers money

[48:00] to fund officer salaries to sit with mental health patients.

[48:04] Our goal is to work with the state.

[48:05] We've been working with our state legislative folks here in this region and through a variety

[48:11] of other avenues to try and get us.

[48:13] We are one of the very few states in this country that take this approach to a mental health

[48:18] with using law enforcement.

[48:20] So I'd be happy to answer any questions you may have on that.

[48:27] Movement on both legislative last year.

[48:30] I know it was about July to July last year.

[48:31] Have they been any movement at all?

[48:33] We've got a lot of success with Senator Newman,

[48:37] who has pushed several different bills forward.

[48:40] Some of those have increased funding to localities,

[48:43] which is good, but very honestly,

[48:45] that funding is a bandaid on an arterial bleed.

[48:49] That is helping some, but funding is not as strong

[48:52] the issue is just the the design of the system. He's also put in a bill that is going to allow

[48:58] for localities, sheriff's offices and police departments to hire part-time folks to fill some

[49:04] of that need. But again, that is just dealing kind of with the symptoms and not really with the

[49:09] problem. So, but he's been great to work with as well as other legislators in our area to really

[49:14] push the need forward.

[49:15] I want to follow up with a few two of them up before too as well, as Central has been very supportive of it, and that they want to be part of the solution, and I'm in the center of the room and we'd like to vote for us as far as to the degree that we can create something particular, if it's if there's a solution to be had and we can figure it for Lynchburg, that helps him in his efforts at the state level, and so I think we don't what we can with the Central to be as creative as possible and we'll keep pushing that way.

[49:41] we continue to work with horizons as well. I appreciate the mention of Central Horizons

[49:45] been a great partner of ours to try and address some of these needs and looking at some

[49:49] other areas to again where we can ultimately better serve those individuals in our community

[49:54] there in mental health crisis.

[50:00] Board, I do note that there are things in the works for the capacity issues, for example, a bed in the hospitals, a bed that is being occupied by someone in this instance, as opposed to someone who has a serious issue that needs to be in the hospital for, not putting a slight on the mental issue, but there needs to be a specific place for those folks to go, and that's something that I think is being looked into with some of the funds that were secured by us, Senator Newman.

[50:34] My question, I just wondered why the state was not able to be more responsive in this.

[50:43] I mean, for what has been given, but I just wondered if it's a problem across the state with other officers and localities.

[50:53] And we're talking about task force against violence, needing more officers on the street.

[50:58] I'm just wondering if there's a correlation there.

[51:01] And so that's your one part of your question.

[51:03] This is definitely, and I've talked to Sheriff Sechice around the Commonwealth, and they're

[51:06] seeing all the same challenges that we are here.

[51:10] It is a my opinion, it is a massive, overhaul of the system is what we're talking about.

[51:17] We're not talking about just changing, we're talking about investing, and having the infrastructure

[51:22] in place to do what needs to be done, and right now, we tell you, we're transporting

[51:29] individuals in mental health crisis, you know, four hours away to all corners of the state.

[51:33] And I think the reality is, as we need to have some local options for that, but that comes

[51:38] with a pretty significant infrastructure, investment, and facilities in personnel and staff.

[51:45] And I know they're dealing with some of the same challenges that a lot of us are with hiring

[51:48] folks in the climate we're in right now, but I won't say, you know, they certainly not turned

[51:52] deaf ear to it. I just don't know that there's been enough momentum behind it to really put

[52:00] the amount of money that needs to go into it truly overhauling. Our mental health system is broken.

[52:05] And when I say broken, I mean tragically broken. When we have a person who's in mental health

[52:09] crisis who sits for six days in a hospital, the police officer and gets no mental health services,

[52:13] that's unacceptable. And so I think it's a huge issue that the state needs to try and fix.

[52:20] And I don't think it's one that gets fixed overnight.

[52:23] This is probably a multi-year problem, multi-year solution,

[52:26] rather, to a problem.

[52:32] And I really, I know the olden days,

[52:37] health things used to be versus what they've done now.

[52:41] Famous second economist, that always says,

[52:43] the problems of today are directly related

[52:45] to the government solutions of 10 years ago.

[52:48] And you see that very evident at numerous things.

[52:51] When somebody, one of your officers brings in somebody

[52:54] to the hospital, it's drastically changed.

[52:58] I mean, you used to be bring them there, drop them off and get back on the street.

[53:03] And so, you know, the funding issue, I mean, typically, central or the hospitals that

[53:08] are actually taking in these patients, that's where the security should be.

[53:13] I mean, for example, if you bring someone to the Blue Ridge jail authority, you don't

[53:17] sit there with him all day, I mean, you transfer them, and so, the thing needs to be the

[53:22] And, you know, I think what we've done is made things much too bureaucratic.

[53:27] I remember the Senator Newman had a great bill several years ago.

[53:31] The Cree Deeds had a different one, and that's the one that got passed.

[53:35] And some of these things need to be changed.

[53:37] I mean, it shouldn't be just, you know, overhauling with just another huge price tag of the solution.

[53:45] Just needs to go back to some common sense.

[53:48] You know, where you guys can bring them in.

[53:51] when there's a threat, get back on the street where there's shootings running rampant every day,

[53:56] where there's robberies happening, be it back on the street, rather than sitting there

[54:01] as though you're a clinician or something or a security guard, you know, so.

[54:07] Thank you, Councillor.

[54:10] I sure can. So swadding is something if you're not familiar with the term, but it's basically

[54:18] Someone somehow communicating a false threat or false emergency that may be going on, that the term came from

[54:25] Usually the threat that has relayed results in some type of a SWAT team or a tactical, you know, having to respond because the threat is alleged to be

[54:33] So severe.

[54:34] So this could be like an active shooter or, you know, we recently saw this eddc blast on, you know, just a month and a half ago or so along with, you know,

[54:43] roughly 20 other localities in our commonwealth that had a similar call to where we were told

[54:48] that there was potentially someone in the school with a gun and not a student but someone

[54:53] who was going into actively harm folks.

[54:56] So the goal of this legislation and there's several different versions that are already out.

[55:00] We've been in communication, I know Medche has, and I have through the Chief Association and others. But the goal is to try and really kind of solidify this law a little bit more and give some additional options.

[55:11] There's some of it, it's just very honestly, the law is not kept up with the technology. The law currently says you have to call in a threat.

[55:19] Well, very few people in the younger generation use a phone to actually make phone calls anymore. They use it to use apps, so we're using text messaging or things like that.

[55:27] So we want to update that to make sure that it captures those as well.

[55:30] A lot of 911 centers or public safety answering points and peace apps now receive text to 911.

[55:37] So I'm actually receiving video in some areas now once we're going to make sure it captures all that.

[55:41] And we want to make sure it also counts for if Dr. Tweetie was to call Mr. Nelson and tell Mr. Nelson something that's going on that she knows to be false to get Mr. Nelson to then call 911 and capture that.

[55:55] some of the law right now is a little ambiguous there so the goal of this is to clean

[55:59] all that up and to hopefully deter folks because it is a significant resource drain

[56:04] as it was at EC glass for us to send the number of officers that we need because we cannot

[56:10] ever err on the side of well this is just a hoax we have to assume every call like that

[56:14] is the real deal and send the appropriate amount of resources so hopefully this law will

[56:18] clean that up hopefully deter folks and when people still choose to do these types of things

[56:24] we can hold them accountable for.

[56:33] Very good families with regarding people calling child

[56:36] protective services, as kind of more of a retribution

[56:41] because they're dog was barking too late.

[56:44] And recognize that they could say, oh, well,

[56:46] we'll put them on there.

[56:47] And some really good families that I know fit visits.

[56:52] And it's just that kind of thing.

[56:53] Hopefully that can kind of coordinate when you're

[56:55] making false claims like that, getting an enforcement agency

[57:00] that comes out there when it's not warranted.

[57:04] Thank you.

[57:05] Thank you.

[57:10] Thank you.

[57:11] That's right.

[57:11] I'm going to say the generous.

[57:13] Any other comments on swatting?

[57:17] Oh, it's right, Doug.

[57:18] Well, I'm just a question.

[57:21] Because Councilmember had us and bought it up.

[57:23] Is there anything that we should be putting forward for you all

[57:27] to support what we're seeing in this uptick of shootings

[57:32] and random robberies?

[57:35] So I think the proof is in the putting with numbers, right?

[57:40] I will tell you that overall, and I'll pull them real quick here,

[57:45] and I believe you guys get this sentee monthly.

[57:49] But we overall, in the last 12 months,

[57:51] what I'd like to compare our numbers to is a five year average,

[57:54] because I can always go find a month that had a really low number,

[57:57] really high number and say, I'm either doing really bad or really great.

[57:59] So, five-year average is what we like to look at.

[58:02] Overall, violent crime compared to our five-year average

[58:06] over the last 12 months,

[58:07] we're actually now at about 5%.

[58:09] Now, with that being said, there are other areas

[58:11] as you know that are elevated.

[58:14] Our gun crimes are elevated right now, right?

[58:17] And those are up, certainly,

[58:18] our murders are higher than they have been in the past.

[58:20] So, a tansure question, Dr. Tudia,

[58:22] think the biggest thing that we still continue to struggle with

[58:25] is getting cooperation from witnesses.

[58:28] And in many cases, unfortunately, victims.

[58:31] It is not uncommon for us to have someone who has shot

[58:34] who doesn't want to tell us what happened.

[58:36] And I understand there's a lot of dynamics

[58:38] that go into that.

[58:39] I understand there's concern for fear and

[58:41] contribution and I encourage folks to remember

[58:44] that we have anonymous ways that they can report that

[58:46] through crime stoppers, through a

[58:48] concern reliable citizens program,

[58:50] to bring that information to us so that we can then use

[58:53] that to piece the puzzle together

[58:54] without having to require that individual who provided it to be identified or to come to court and testify.

[59:01] So, you know, we certainly want to encourage folks in the community to do that.

[59:05] Obviously, some of our challenges with staffing is you know to try and make sure we're allocating our limited resources to areas that they can have the most impact.

[59:14] And certainly violent crime is at the priority of my list amongst many other things.

[59:18] But so, anything we can do to encourage the community as you all are out in the community to make sure

[59:25] it's a cliche term, unfortunately sometimes, but if you see something, you need to say something.

[59:30] And, you know, how I like to relay that to a lot of folks who are a little hesitant is, you know, if that was your family member

[59:35] that was a victim of that crime, what would you want someone to do if they had that piece of information that can help us solve that?

[59:41] So, I hope that answers your question.

[59:42] More

[59:48] broadly, I'm a skim through, if I missed it, please correct me, but I would be interested in adding some language, particularly within the top guiding principles of increased.

[1:00:00] Funding from the State to the Commerce Attorney's offices, I think that's a need that we've been informed

[1:00:06] of to a very fine point and the necessity for prosecuting crimes. I don't want to send our officers

[1:00:15] into the court system without that backup. And I think if we can find a way to incorporate

[1:00:20] increase funding to Commerce Attorney's offices without the locality, also having to pitch in, would

[1:00:26] We're exploring similarly with increased state compensation for teachers without a local

[1:00:32] match.

[1:00:33] They're rolling in cash.

[1:00:34] I mean, so as the cities, as we all know, but with billions of dollars in excess revenue,

[1:00:41] I think that's something we, as a council would unanimously get behind.

[1:00:45] And then we currently do have a language in there regarding unfunded bandits.

[1:00:50] I think just given the dynamic politically speaking that we're in, I'd be interested in

[1:00:56] including that in our top priorities.

[1:00:59] I think we needed to make it known to the state

[1:01:00] that look when you are passing a policy,

[1:01:04] that is forcing us to take revenue from Peter

[1:01:07] and give it to Paul, it's putting us in handcuffs to degree.

[1:01:12] And so any way we could incorporate that

[1:01:14] to the higher priorities, something I'm interested in.

[1:01:19] That's a nice thing

[1:01:22] to keep back to staff

[1:01:23] on what's proposed here.

[1:01:25] So a couple of different ways.

[1:01:26] I mean, you're welcome to this evening.

[1:01:27] It wasn't really pushing you to, I just wanted to make sure that I broached it with you this

[1:01:32] evening.

[1:01:33] We do have a trajectory where on Monday, November 14th, you're meeting with the local

[1:01:37] delegation.

[1:01:38] That'll be a time in which you can respond and talk to one another, as well, December 13th

[1:01:43] that position.

[1:01:43] It has a potential date in which you can vote.

[1:01:46] Now, throughout the one communication that I sent to you in your peers was always open

[1:01:51] to your feedback or input this afternoon.

[1:01:53] We were opposed to the city's website, a link to the legislative package with a communication

[1:01:59] for the public to send comments to Mercedes-Bran so that we can capture those.

[1:02:04] We did this last year as well.

[1:02:07] So there are many different ways in which to do so not simply for your peers but also for

[1:02:11] our constituents and residents.

[1:02:14] No, no, please, no, this is super awful.

[1:02:17] You know, so with that, what you said that our delegation's got thousands of bills and

[1:02:23] And focusing, I think, would be a lot better.

[1:02:25] I mean, this is 13 pages of lots of stuff that are, you know, it'd be nice for us to

[1:02:30] really focus on something that they want to do versus, you know, this one thing, the sidewalk

[1:02:36] bank, you know, lots of these different things I probably would say, you know, is that really

[1:02:42] something that we want to say for somebody to put it in the sidewalk, you know, like the sidewalk

[1:02:49] to nowhere concept and then force them to pay for it and then, oh, by the way, we'll put money

[1:02:54] to go somebody else. That's one I want us to get rid of these sidewalks to nowhere already,

[1:03:01] which we have a public hearing tonight where we're going to be forcing a church to spend about

[1:03:06] 100 grand and putting in the sidewalk where there's no other sidewalk that connects. I understand

[1:03:12] the sidewalks, but I think that is something we need to really kind of be thinking about

[1:03:18] that, especially when there you have a church that's trying to do good and now you say hey

[1:03:25] instead of actually having a hundred thousand for your program, we're going to make you put

[1:03:29] a sidewalk that doesn't connect to any other sidewalk so only people that are going to walk

[1:03:33] on the sidewalk are none of the people that go to the church are going to be walking back and forth

[1:03:37] on the sidewalk so you know having sidewalks in here that way so there's lots of so we don't

[1:03:43] do we want to be talking about all these different items today or we're going to be just

[1:03:47] send you and then be. I'd like to see this shrunk tremendously, personally.

[1:03:53] What I'd say is a very careful, this is my second assembly, and I last year

[1:03:58] did my toe into the water to say, we do, and I mean this with love, so anybody that's

[1:04:03] previously sorry, we do a bit of a kitchen sink approach, and I don't know that it's effective for

[1:04:07] the city. And so I without maybe going too fast too far too quickly with with you and your peers,

[1:04:14] to try to do the key three principles.

[1:04:17] So super helpful for council and for all of you to say,

[1:04:20] of these other things,

[1:04:21] I'd like to highlight this as of import for us.

[1:04:25] And so when I'm giving you as a compliment of things,

[1:04:27] and there's about three sections in there

[1:04:29] that is this year's what the staff would propose.

[1:04:33] There are ongoing pieces that are just before they

[1:04:36] assembly and they're dealing with.

[1:04:37] And then there's the third piece is kind of things

[1:04:39] that we've accomplished.

[1:04:40] So what I'd ask is that if there are things that come from the dinner and or your constituents

[1:04:47] would have you, that you want to elevate and make it called the top five, the top three,

[1:04:52] and I want to prescribe any kind of number, that is super helpful for me and staff when

[1:04:58] we're working with the local delegation about.

[1:05:02] I'm with you on it. I just didn't want to go too far too fast and they're feeling like, well, wait a minute, there was a document previously that had a wealth of things, and my thing is not in there. So this is, there was a, let's say, let's give him a page or two, kind of thing.

[1:05:16] Okay, good. I love a great idea.

[1:05:19] So you could have the two. It's almost the white paper that comes on top of something to say, this is what Lynchburg really, really, really supports.

[1:05:29] And it's, you know, if it's a laundry, if you've got a bunch of conservatives and you give a laundry list of, you know, liberal ideas, it's, it's looked at and tossed in the trash and conversely the same thing would happen if it's, you know, I mean, it's, yeah, it's not successful.

[1:05:45] I agree.

[1:05:49] Just wanted to make a point again about Monday, November 14th at 6 p.m.

[1:05:54] At the Drizel Student Center at the University of Lynchburg, that'll be our legislative

[1:05:57] dinner.

[1:05:58] We've invited Michelle Gattie, she's the chairman-exact of the Virginia Municipal League.

[1:06:04] And then you'll remember the economists that we had last year, Jim Regenball, who was also

[1:06:09] works not simply for Virginia for cities, but also VML.

[1:06:12] He'll be there as well.

[1:06:13] and so the hope or opportunities for them to kind of give us a what to expect kind of conversation

[1:06:18] similar to what we did last year and then afford you and your peers at the local delegation

[1:06:22] opportunity to talk about Lynchburg and the state assembly and hopefully the be some really

[1:06:29] good food. So with that Mr. Vice Mayor that concludes unless there are other questions.

[1:06:36] We will move on then to the business side and briefings and the first is filming on public

[1:06:41] property this item will appear before city council for action on December 13th, 2022 and I believe that's miss Benson.

[1:06:48] Good afternoon vice mayor members of council.

[1:06:52] As you just said, this will appear on your general business agenda on December 13th.

[1:06:56] The office of economic development tourism encourages filming in the city of Lynchburg to drive economic development tourism and publicity for the city.

[1:07:04] Staff works with those wishing to film on city property through an application process and coordinates and shares information with any impacted departments.

[1:07:11] including Police, Fire, Risk Management, Parks and Recreation and Community Development and Public Works.

[1:07:17] If filming occurs in a city park, Parks and Recreation issues a simple use permit,

[1:07:22] other locations are issued permission by the Office of Economic Development and Tourism.

[1:07:26] A certificate of liability insurance listing the city as additional insured is required for all

[1:07:31] wishing to film on public property. The city attorney has recommended that an ordinance be

[1:07:35] a place to support this process.

[1:07:37] Couple notes about definitions.

[1:07:40] Filming or film means the taking of motion pictures

[1:07:42] done for any purpose on public property

[1:07:44] with the intention that such motion pictures

[1:07:46] be viewed by the general public

[1:07:48] and academic institution or at a film festival.

[1:07:51] Filming should not include news made

[1:07:53] by a lawfully organized news or media entity,

[1:07:56] taking of motion pictures pursuant to the authority

[1:07:59] of the Federal the Virginia Freedom Information Act

[1:08:02] or taking of motion pictures for personal,

[1:08:04] non-commercial purposes, like social media account, for example, a personal account.

[1:08:10] And this is just a list of just some general requirements for filming. I won't read all of these,

[1:08:17] but all filming conducted in orderly fashion, you know, keeping the sidewalks clear,

[1:08:23] use of firearms or replicas as prohibited. These of explosives or fireworks as prohibited.

[1:08:28] It should not interfere with the city's emergency services,

[1:08:32] And then filming shop conform to all applicable laws, regulations, and ordinances.

[1:08:37] That's all I have to answer.

[1:08:40] Questions?

[1:08:41] Comments?

[1:08:41] Councilmember Helgeson.

[1:08:42] I guess just as I mentioned earlier, you know.

[1:08:44] I'd really like to see, you know, the off-second off-road focusing on the jobs.

[1:08:50] Rather than setting up a new, you know, a new ordinance.

[1:08:55] I think a lot of people could film when they would be fantastic.

[1:08:58] I know that this is kind of almost like a, you know, they could film now, and now we have a new

[1:09:05] kind of like a bureaucratic ordinance ordinance that says, here's all the things you have to do.

[1:09:10] So, just my two cents. Thank you very much.

[1:09:14] Council member, for all this come from, we have had a process of ways to be a great

[1:09:21] commission for filming just to make sure that people are, you know, using parks or sidewalks,

[1:09:25] in use with other uses, you know, the city attorney asked that we memorialize this as an

[1:09:32] ordinance to support that process.

[1:09:36] I would add to what Ms. Bennett said.

[1:09:39] So, there has been an informal process where economic development has issued permits or permissions

[1:09:46] to basically keep track of and ensure the safety of public property in the city.

[1:09:51] as part of that process, insurance certificates were required, namely, or what they tried to aim.

[1:10:00] It was ensuring that if there was damage to property or there was injuries that the individuals that were responsible had insurance to cover the actions that they were responsible for.

[1:10:13] This was brought to our attention. Basically, I think it was a citizen who had brought forth the fact that there wasn't really an objective way for the city to be able to say,

[1:10:26] Well, what if I just want to video my family at a park?

[1:10:29] Does that mean I have to get an insurance certificate?

[1:10:34] Well, there was no objective way of determining that.

[1:10:38] So under the city's power to police, it's property

[1:10:41] and sure the safety of the community,

[1:10:44] this was a resolution that I and several other departments

[1:10:47] had worked together on to try to have an objective outline

[1:10:51] process to account for applicable exceptions, while also ensuring the safety of public property

[1:10:58] and encouraging filming.

[1:11:00] Thank you both.

[1:11:03] This harkens back some memory with Dr. Fordon in government class that had in college

[1:11:10] where the intention of government is one thing and then the outcome may produce a different

[1:11:16] effect and the two may not be married.

[1:11:18] The reason I'm saying this is so my mind rolls, we're in a political season, I go to

[1:11:25] Park and I film and had and then I share it as a Facebook ad on Facebook, well by

[1:11:31] this ordinance but I'd be required to get, go through this process before submitting

[1:11:36] that campaign material.

[1:11:39] That's a question, similarly if I am, if

[1:11:47] we're not putting a fee and a mandate behind doing

[1:11:50] it. What's the point except to make a point? And if we're saying, hey, you can't film on public

[1:11:59] property without following this to a T, what's the punishment outside of the fact that we're

[1:12:07] just saying, hey, you just got to follow this? There's no penalty. If there's no feet of administrative

[1:12:12] of fleet do this. That was another thought of mine.

[1:12:19] There's a lot of subjectivity, at least

[1:12:21] in my interpretation of this. I've said it often, I'm no attorney, but I live in this field

[1:12:26] a little bit. All filming shall be conducted in an orderly fashion. Well, if I'm filming

[1:12:32] a zombie walk, which we've done, that might be a challenge. The use of explosives or fireworks,

[1:12:42] we sponsor fireworks downtown for, and then we film it, and then we use it in economic

[1:12:48] development to produce it for ads. That's a conflict. Why is the city filming explosives or

[1:12:54] fuck, and then using it to, these are just things that roll through my own mind when I read

[1:13:01] through this. So I could go into deeper, I think the intent is good. I believe looking back,

[1:13:10] I may have initiated the email back and forth with this

[1:13:14] constituent, as a matter of fact.

[1:13:16] So that's partially why I'm speaking to this.

[1:13:18] I think this is a good step in the right direction,

[1:13:21] although it may not be meeting the direct intent

[1:13:24] as to what we need to do.

[1:13:26] And let's certainly be mindful for asking folks

[1:13:28] to not use fireworks or explosions

[1:13:32] if we're doing it ourselves.

[1:13:35] But I think in a common way you understand my perspective

[1:13:37] on this for the moment.

[1:13:39] Thank you for getting this far.

[1:13:42] I could provide some clarification for City Council and their all legitimate concerns, Mr.

[1:13:47] for all he had mentioned.

[1:13:50] The first component that he had mentioned was the idea of whether filming would be subject

[1:13:55] to a permit of just an individual out filming in the road or wanting to engage in filming

[1:14:01] for non-commercial reasons that is specifically not for purposes of making money just opposed

[1:14:07] on their personal social media, et cetera, that is excluded from the definition of filming,

[1:14:13] which is shown in the ordinance.

[1:14:15] The idea was obviously, at least in my estimation, to be able to ensure that individuals

[1:14:21] first amendment rights to do to be able to do that who are engaging in personal activities

[1:14:26] weren't subject to the ordinance.

[1:14:28] As far as the penalties, I suppose if we looked at it stringently and we wanted to enforce

[1:14:36] on someone we could use the provision in the city code that speaks specifically to when provisions for penalties aren't provided for in a specific ordinance.

[1:14:48] There is an ordinance that we have that speaks to what penalty that would be imposed.

[1:14:54] I think that's actually a class one misdemeanor, but it's my understanding that the idea.

[1:15:00] Behind this ordinance is just to solidify what the current process is, and no way is anyone to be punished for filming in the city.

[1:15:08] It's just to allow citizens to understand what is expected of them and what is needed from them as it relates to trying to film on the city's property.

[1:15:19] I think broadly, I would agree if I may just respond.

[1:15:23] Briefly, broadly, I agree, I think the challenge I run into is if I film on public property

[1:15:30] and then turn that into some form of a marketable, tangible product, even though it might

[1:15:36] be for a nonprofit per se, you're using a commercial aspect to it and that's when it turns

[1:15:42] into not being a private entity, and I'm actually using a video of myself as a selfie and

[1:15:49] putting money behind it to target people to get them to do something, and in that case,

[1:15:55] that might be a vote, I'll double down, so now we're saying, you can't use drones.

[1:16:02] Well, is that flying over public space or is that only on public space?

[1:16:05] You can't use drones, can't do fireworks, I'm pretty sure we do both when we're filming

[1:16:10] they get, like, the fireworks on Fourth of July.

[1:16:14] So thank you, I agree.

[1:16:16] I think we just need to be a little bit more intentional,

[1:16:18] maybe, and how we word some of this.

[1:16:22] Thank you.

[1:16:23] Yeah, I wanted to follow up on that.

[1:16:25] I would like to be very concerned with the problems

[1:16:26] on which is, you know,

[1:16:28] makes me wonder if the juices worth the squeeze

[1:16:30] by being so prescriptive that it actually

[1:16:34] raises challenges and barriers for people.

[1:16:37] Specifically, I'm thinking.

[1:16:38] So I guess a question that if let's say Lynchburg is a historic city, let's say I wanted to

[1:16:44] film a movie about the civil war here, right?

[1:16:48] And they are carrying civil war weapons in their shooting a scene on Church Street.

[1:16:56] Is that negotiable?

[1:16:58] And then if so, let's say the city was otherwise okay with it, how would we do they have

[1:17:04] to come to Council?

[1:17:05] How is that arbitrated, for example?

[1:17:07] I would submit to city all as I understand it current requirements the city requires to be able to film in the city

[1:17:17] So these aren't arbitrarily created so I think I think what if this is something city council wish wish to pursue

[1:17:27] Certainly, you know, there is a way to allow for say

[1:17:32] discretion to be allowed for by the Department of Economic Development, you know, subject

[1:17:38] to the appeal to the city manager, say it was denied.

[1:17:43] You know, I think that's a great point, as it relates to the Civil War reenactment

[1:17:50] or for fireworks. A lot of these, I think like I had said, there are more informal

[1:17:56] requirements that the department imposes upon someone seeking the permit.

[1:18:01] They've just never been codified to where they're enforceable if that makes sense.

[1:18:07] I would understand why we'd want to limit the city by

[1:18:12] putting out and setting off fireworks

[1:18:13] on the lawn of City Hall, while they're making their film because they didn't get a permit

[1:18:18] right there in that aware of the process.

[1:18:19] I can understand that, but some sort of discretion, I agree, would sounds like it would be

[1:18:27] would be useful here is, you know, because if it's an ordinance, if it's enacted by law,

[1:18:32] then I would be concerned that folks would understand that actually there was some wiggle room.

[1:18:38] Councilmember Helpers.

[1:18:39] So he asked, do the scouts want to proceed with this, and I don't quite frankly, you know,

[1:18:45] because I see this kind of more of as a solution and search of a problem.

[1:18:49] I mean, I see this as all the different things that Councilmember Foraldi and the vice mayor

[1:18:54] just mentioned, you know, with the fine points.

[1:18:58] And I also understand how things work.

[1:19:00] You know, right now it says, no administrative fee

[1:19:03] shall be required.

[1:19:04] You know, I just understand how things always work.

[1:19:07] Right?

[1:19:07] I mean, you chuckled, because you know, if you'll actually say,

[1:19:10] starts out, hey, we'll pick up your trash.

[1:19:12] It's included in your trash in your property taxes.

[1:19:15] Well, we're going to add just a little bit.

[1:19:17] Well, we're going to add a little bit more.

[1:19:18] Well, we're going to add this huge, longest thing.

[1:19:20] And so I just, I think it's a,

[1:19:23] And what I would like us to see is encourage people to come here and do some films and report all the wonderful historical things, the Civil War, all the different items and not have to go through another bureaucratic red date.

[1:19:42] If City Council wants this to come back, and if so, if it were to come back is including the

[1:19:51] clause for allowing for discretion for exceptions by the Director of Economic Development

[1:19:57] subject to appeal of the city manager.

[1:20:00] Something you all want to see. I certainly don't want to bring this back. If that's not something you all would want.

[1:20:06] You're 20, 24.

[1:20:09] You're 20, 24.

[1:20:10] That's it.

[1:20:11] I took my recommendation.

[1:20:12] Council would be that the city of turning, taking the feedback received this evening.

[1:20:18] Perhaps we visit the draft ordinance.

[1:20:21] Tighten it up.

[1:20:22] And then raise it back to council.

[1:20:25] We'll be my recommendation at that.

[1:20:27] The much later date, I would suggest.

[1:20:30] at the City of Managers when he finds this for perhaps the need for that.

[1:20:37] All right. Well, then we will move ahead to thank you very much, Ms. Benson.

[1:20:41] We'll move ahead to great orthodox rezoning.

[1:20:43] This item will appear before Council for Action on December 13, 2022,

[1:20:46] and that's Ms. Frishiza.

[1:20:50] Thank you, Vice Mayor, members of Council.

[1:20:52] The purpose of this petition is to reason the property at 3300 Carol Avenue

[1:20:56] from I2 Light and Industrial District to B5 General Business District to allow the expansion of the existing

[1:21:03] church to include the construction of the covered deck.

[1:21:06] The church has been in operation at this site since at least 1955 and it's currently considered

[1:21:11] a legal non-performing use in the I2 District.

[1:21:16] The future land use map recommends institutional uses for the property, these areas include religious

[1:21:20] educational and other non-profit entities in the city.

[1:21:23] rezoning to be five would bring the use into conformity with our zoning

[1:21:28] ordinance and allow the expansion of the church has desired planning

[1:21:31] commission recommended approval of the petition at their meeting on October

[1:21:34] 26.

[1:21:45] When you spoke with the church hopefully you everything in life has got

[1:21:49] pluses and minuses. So as they are currently it's a non-conforming use but it's

[1:21:54] perfectly legal because that's why it's been. So now are there any maybe unintended

[1:22:00] to consequences that you needed to share with them, like if they do want to expand, like,

[1:22:05] for example, in the front of their building on, um, Carol, are, no, on, on, on, on Mayflower,

[1:22:13] on, I believe.

[1:22:14] Oddfell is oddfell is their sidewalks there, but if they're going to go the other direction

[1:22:18] on Carol, is this something that they would have to now, just one, make sure that you share

[1:22:24] with them some of the unintended consequences of going from I-2 to a B-5.

[1:22:32] Well, so industrial districts aren't subject to exclusion from, I think, you refer on it

[1:22:38] sidewalk ordinance.

[1:22:40] I mean, we do have exemptions for things like grade or, you know, if there's like a storm

[1:22:44] water channel, like a ditch, that makes sidewalk construction not feasible, however, as it

[1:22:51] is now, they would be subject to the same requirements

[1:22:54] if they went over the threshold of a sidewalk.

[1:22:58] I'll just stand there for a second.

[1:23:01] All under a nine, too.

[1:23:03] They, oh, so they can't, the reason for the rezoning

[1:23:05] is they're not conforming and you can't expand

[1:23:08] the non-conforming use.

[1:23:12] So the rezoning is proposed to allow them to expand.

[1:23:17] All right, thank you

[1:23:19] so much.

[1:23:21] All right, well, we will move then.

[1:23:23] in to roll call and at a respect and beference to one of our colleagues.

[1:23:28] I'm going to start on the other end of the dyes, Mr. Feraldi.

[1:23:32] I'll just come back to me.

[1:23:33] Thank you.

[1:23:34] Dr. Wilder.

[1:23:36] All right.

[1:23:36] That's when I congratulate the one community, one voice in the police cat team.

[1:23:41] They were out there at the middle of the last night in the ring.

[1:23:44] Pastor Kennedy, the kids in our community.

[1:23:46] I'm just so wonderful to see our community work together to better our community.

[1:23:50] The cat team has been very active with one of the greatest

[1:23:52] community with the police department, with Sheriff's Office, with fire, all the others have

[1:23:58] been really forceful and cannot muffly and various other events in our community.

[1:24:02] We did talk about our shooting the other day. We had two shootings a week, but they continue

[1:24:06] to do make in-roads in our community. Those are the all of us who are working together to address

[1:24:11] the situation for our violence, our shootings, for the churches, the synagogues, the faith

[1:24:16] community, parents, like I was just saying, make sure you talk to your kids. Make sure you

[1:24:22] You see something, you know what witnesses in nature, so there's a community situation, a community

[1:24:27] problem.

[1:24:28] All of us need to address and work together to solve.

[1:24:31] I'm also become mentors and big brothers to our kids, like community to big brothers, or

[1:24:35] Jubilee, or boys to girls club at various other places, where you can give back.

[1:24:39] So when I encourage our citizens to do that, also on this Wednesday, it starts to

[1:24:45] must ask for kids.

[1:24:47] They raise funds for kids in our community.

[1:24:49] hopefully turn a parallel join us again this year and that you can give to one of those who would do it, but again, they raised about

[1:24:57] I can't remember about $300,000 a year.

[1:25:00] Chief doesn't, because his mustache is amazing. I think he grows a month, but I'm so maybe you can get some of the other deputy assistant city managers never else to participate.

[1:25:11] But about 100 plus men saved their beers and mustache is off and grew up for 30 days.

[1:25:17] And this is amazing how they raised like $300,000 and 30 days. I mean, it is amazing what we do in our community.

[1:25:25] because it shows how it has to do with caring community

[1:25:27] and so far for children's services.

[1:25:30] So make sure you try to think about that.

[1:25:31] And also Friday, the Pancake Jemperi,

[1:25:34] and several times when we cook in Pancakes on Friday,

[1:25:36] I think it's on six or so to the seven I believe.

[1:25:39] So again, another great organization

[1:25:41] is giving back to the community.

[1:25:43] So in love, like Lensburg does,

[1:25:45] I'm excited about that.

[1:25:47] And as far as the message for kids is on Wednesday

[1:25:49] at Star Hill or in Main Street from 4.30 to 9.

[1:25:52] Make a comment about that event, be really great.

[1:25:56] Thank you.

[1:26:01] Thank you very much.

[1:26:02] Earlier today, but Cron.

[1:26:03] I mean the Cron.

[1:26:05] Oh, it's just heartbreaking to watch the news every day.

[1:26:08] I mean it's another shooting.

[1:26:09] Today, we watched three shootings in the last three days.

[1:26:12] At birth to what apartments and you watch the news coverage.

[1:26:16] And you see the numbers all over which probably means 41 empty casings.

[1:26:24] You look at James Crosseing shooting.

[1:26:27] in Kabul Street last night, and then you listen to the single woman

[1:26:31] that was interviewed on the news, got to broke my heart.

[1:26:34] You know, when she says, I don't want my kids to be going outside without an adult.

[1:26:42] With that, we have got to empower, many things are happening at the rotten from some of this

[1:26:50] national malarkey that's happened, it's coming here, and this breaks my heart, you know,

[1:26:59] one thing that we do have that I hope these single women trying to protect their kids that

[1:27:04] we don't have any kind of negative impact to say, hey, you got to pay this the highest fee in

[1:27:09] the state for your concealed weapon permit to defend yourself and your family. You know,

[1:27:15] something that we probably ought to think of. Another, that's I mentioned earlier, which we'll

[1:27:22] talk about tonight, which I'd really like for us to see what we can do about the sidewalks to

[1:27:25] know where. I mean, that's, really, that's another one that you see at church is, it's councilman

[1:27:31] wilder just said, what can we do is the community and the faith community come together. When you

[1:27:35] got a faith community and a church that now has to divert about a hundred grand to put in a sidewalk

[1:27:40] that nobody's going to walk on. I'd rather see it going either to the building or going,

[1:27:45] you know, it's anyway. I just, I know the whole purpose of it, but the sidewalks to nowhere

[1:27:52] if there's a ability to figure out something different than just requiring somebody any time

[1:27:58] they want to expand. They're sanctuary. You got a, you know, you already, I'm a shoe strength.

[1:28:05] So if we can discuss that at some point, thank you. Thank you. That's Dr. Cleedy.

[1:28:10] Yeah, I'd like to hear from the City Attorney about personal interest, conflict of it, for lobbying, for varying policies and regulations by Council members.

[1:28:21] I don't know what that is, but if you could bring any type of legislation or regulations about that, I would like to see that.

[1:28:33] Thank you.

[1:28:44] Thank you, Mr. Vice Mayor, colleagues, citizens.

[1:28:50] City Council has many responsibilities,

[1:28:54] but crafting the annual budget is arguably the most important of its duties.

[1:29:02] City Council traditionally starts formulating its annual budget each February.

[1:29:09] When local elections were held in May,

[1:29:12] Newly elected Council members took office in July.

[1:29:17] At a time when Council's summer agenda was light,

[1:29:22] and the budgeting process was many, many months away.

[1:29:27] Because local elections are now held in November,

[1:29:32] Newly elected Council members will assume their respective offices in January.

[1:29:38] They're by immediately placing weighty budgeting responsibilities on non-incumment council members

[1:29:47] who may have little or no practical experience on say council.

[1:29:55] That is one of the many reasons why I opposed the Virginia General Assembly.

[1:30:00] You can see mandate to move all local elections to coincide with the November General Election.

[1:30:11] Because I did not seek reelection to city council, next Tuesday's election will determine the

[1:30:18] successor to my vacated seat on this day's. I want that successor, whoever it is, to be oriented

[1:30:27] and qualified as soon as possible to undertake the responsibilities of this office and not

[1:30:36] delay that process until January 2023, which would be on the eve of City Council's 2023

[1:30:45] budgeting process.

[1:30:49] Orientation to the duties of service on this council is neither quick nor easy.

[1:30:56] I believe the orderly, non-contentious, courteous, and respectful transfer of political

[1:31:06] office from one elected office holder to the next is essential to ensure the survival

[1:31:13] of our nation's constitutional system of representative democracy,

[1:31:20] likewise as an old

[1:31:22] coach.

[1:31:23] I often use sports analogies to illustrate a point, in that context, I view Lynchburg and

[1:31:32] this city council, quote, as my team and our team.

[1:31:39] I view myself as a player on our city's team, and as a team player, I feel every responsibility.

[1:31:49] Now, a duty and obligation to help whoever takes my position on our team to be as well prepared

[1:31:59] as possible to confront our team's challenges before the tough competition of the 2023

[1:32:07] budgeting season begins in February. Our team's success may depend on it. If my position

[1:32:16] on City Council is vacated next week. City Council can call a special meeting to expeditiously

[1:32:23] appoint one of the newly elected non-encomment victors in that election to fill my vacancy.

[1:32:32] At a time after Lynchburg voters have made their choice, but well before the budgeting

[1:32:38] season begins next year.

[1:32:41] Therefore, I announce my resignation from Lynchburg City Council to be effective at noon

[1:32:48] on Monday, November 7, 2022.

[1:32:52] I urge City Council to thereafter hold a special meeting to appoint one of the next, excuse

[1:32:59] me, one of the next Tuesdays, non-incombone election victors, to fill that vacancy.

[1:33:07] and enjoy a smooth orientation and gain a little more experience in this office before

[1:33:14] Council's budgeting process begins.

[1:33:19] Accordingly,

[1:33:28] I thank you.

[1:33:30] Accordingly, tonight will be the last time that I sit on this day and perhaps the last

[1:33:35] time I will be with any of you in these Council chambers.

[1:33:38] I offer each of you my sincerest gratitude for the efforts, the sacrifices, the time and talent,

[1:33:52] all city employees and administrators have given to me and our citizens during my four

[1:34:00] terms of office on City Council.

[1:34:03] As I vacate this seat, I repeat the words I expressed in 2010.

[1:34:11] When I first announced my candidacy for election to occupy this seat, I do not do this

[1:34:21] because it's easy.

[1:34:24] I do not do this because it is profitable.

[1:34:28] I do not do this because it's convenient.

[1:34:33] I do it because it is right and virtuous to put the needs and interests

[1:34:37] of all of the people of Lynchburg first.

[1:34:43] I thank you so very much.

[1:34:46] I have and will continue to cherish the privilege

[1:34:50] and the honor to serve on this Council.

[1:34:52] and to have promoted the diverse interests of everyone in this city.

[1:35:00] In pursuit of inclusive ideas, outcomes and representative democracy, I urge all of you and our successors to embrace the virtues of unbiased, courteous, and nonpartisan public service on this council, and throughout this community.

[1:35:24] And I pray that all city council members, both present and future, will collaborate, cooperate,

[1:35:35] and be willing to accept compromise when crafting solutions to our city's challenges.

[1:35:43] Thank you very much.

[1:35:44] May God bless our city and each and every citizen in it.

[1:35:48] Thank you, Vice Mayor.

[1:35:49] I

[1:36:03] may be why he asked to go last, but thank you, Councilmember Nelson, for over 12 years

[1:36:11] of principled committed service to our community.

[1:36:14] I very much hope that we will have the opportunity to thank you, fully, as a Council

[1:36:23] as a community at a date in the not-to-distant future, it would be our honor and our privilege.

[1:36:28] And I think it's telling of your service on this body that a former member, Council member

[1:36:37] Turner Perro, has joined us here this evening.

[1:36:38] Thank you for being here as well.

[1:36:43] So this does not get you though out of the 730 meeting.

[1:36:45] So we look forward to seeing you there.

[1:36:48] See you there.

[1:36:49] Yes.

[1:36:49] Council member Feraldi.

[1:36:52] It's brief and expedient, recognizing the time, but I don't believe I can let this go, super

[1:36:57] of me.

[1:37:00] My heart is full yet empty. Randy, my friend, no words can adequately, adequately summarize

[1:37:08] their respect, appreciation and gratitude. I and so many others have for you and the 12 years

[1:37:15] of service you have offered this city of Lynchburg. In ways this moment is on your part,

[1:37:23] the culmination of a lifetime of service to the city and all that it stands for.

[1:37:29] There will be some

[1:37:33] who will praise your leaving this day is.

[1:37:37] Not I. The friendship and camaraderie we have fostered these last two and a half years

[1:37:43] leads me to recognize the great loss. This government and community will feel by your

[1:37:50] Council. On any issue, we may arrive at different conclusions. Yet, never once has that forced

[1:37:58] us from being neighbor's colleagues and friends and norbred I expected to ever do.

[1:38:06] This is what makes Council Member Nelson a treasure to cherish.

[1:38:12] While one may disagree with

[1:38:13] any of your votes, Stance's comments or proposals, something we ourselves have encountered,

[1:38:19] we find ourselves ever walking together as fellow citizens.

[1:38:25] It cannot be denied the example you have set forth to all of us,

[1:38:29] constantly being true to yourself and the principles that guide you.

[1:38:33] In this charged modern day political environment,

[1:38:37] we all should strive to be more like Councilmember Nelson.

[1:38:41] Your tender resolve humble spirit and gentlemanly zeal

[1:38:45] our attributes I only wish to remotely contain or emulate.

[1:38:51] Truly, you are the Consumant Statesmen.

[1:38:55] I pray to the Almighty that one day I may even

[1:38:59] fracturally present myself in like manner.

[1:39:04] I've often said both to you and private and others publicly

[1:39:07] and I'll say it again now.

[1:39:09] Randy Nelson is a picture of what I strive daily

[1:39:12] to be as a council member.

[1:39:13] I'll be with a slightly different voting record, however.

[1:39:19] Though he may not realize that he is my mentor,

[1:39:23] my confidant, and most importantly, a dear dear friend.

[1:39:28] I know I still plan on calling you for that wise counsel

[1:39:33] and a ten of ear for those times when I may not know how to move forward

[1:39:36] or if I should take a step backward.

[1:39:39] Because I know that there's no more honorable and faithful representative

[1:39:42] to the people of Lentschburg. And out of that love for her citizens, your prudent word will

[1:39:48] still influence my ear and the city for your succumb.

[1:39:54] I thank my God in all my remembrance of you.

[1:40:00] In every prayer of mine, for you all make for you making my prayer be of joy, because of your partnership

[1:40:08] and the gospel for the first day until now. And I am sure of this that He who began a good

[1:40:14] work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. It is right for me to feel

[1:40:20] way about you, because I hold in you my heart for you are all partakers with me, of grace,

[1:40:30] both in the imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. For God is my

[1:40:35] witness, I yearn for you with all the affection of Jesus Christ, and it is my prayer that

[1:40:42] your love may have bound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment so that you may

[1:40:48] approve of what is excellent, what is pure, and what is blameless, for the day of Christ

[1:40:55] filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through He alone, to the glory of God

[1:41:02] and praise be to Him, Philippians 1, 3, through 11, in Christ, and this is your gratitude.

[1:41:08] Thank you, Randy.

[1:41:15] statement, and you don't know how much I appreciate it, as Vice Mayor.

[1:41:21] I would like to ask Mr. Nelson in calling for that special session by the way.

[1:41:28] Thank you all very much.

[1:41:31] We look forward to seeing you back here at 730 until then, we are recessed.

[1:41:35] Thank you.

November 1, 2022 City Council Work Session - Nov 1st, 2022

Agenda

Transcript