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Valentine's Day is one thing, but Carl's Day (Feb.17th) is a Fredericksburg thing!
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REMINDER
Please do not respond directly to this email, as the email address is not monitored. If you wish to reply, please email me at my City government email address.
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February is Black History Month
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Civil Rights Trail Unveiling
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I’m really looking forward to this! On Thursday, February 23rd at 2:00 PM, the City of Fredericksburg, in partnership with the University of Mary Washington’s James Farmer Multicultural Center is unveiling the Civil Rights Trail entitled, “Freedom, a Work in Progress”, at the Jepson Alumni Executive Center at 119 Hanover Street. I hope to see you there. A lot of dedicated, talented people have put their hearts and energy into making this happen. Click here for a great article on the trail. Please email or call Victoria Matthews at 540-372-1216 if you need more information.
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Black History Walking Tour:
Black Business and Entrepreneurship
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In my last newsletter, I covered the special downtown walking tour of local African American History called “Black Business & Entrepreneurship in Fredericksburg, 1787 – Present”, led by Dr. Gaila Sims, FAM’s Curator of African American History and Special Projects. This fascinating tour begins at HFFI’s office at the Lewis Store (1200 Caroline Street). The focus of the walking tour is the largely untold stories that are now being shared.
Tickets to the February 18th Walking Tour sold out so quickly, that FAM and HFFI decided to add another date – March 25th – to accommodate the popular demand. You can get your tickets to the March 25th Walking Tour here.
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More Black History Month Celebration and Learning Opportunities
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There are many more things to see, learn, and do to celebrate Black History Month. Check out what is happening at UMW here and other City events here.
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George Washington’s Birthday is why we celebrate Presidents Day when we do – although, obviously, it’s not just limited to George. There are a host of ways to celebrate Presidents Day in the City. Here are a couple:
Happy Birthday, George! at the Mary Washington House, 1200 Charles Street on Saturday, February 18th from 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Half-Price Admission Day, in Honor of Washington’s Birthday, at the Hugh Mercer Apothecary Shop, Mary Washington House, and Rising Sun Tavern on Monday, February 20th, from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
There are other events in our area to check out here.
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Tomorrow's City Council Meetings
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You can attend the City Council meetings in person. You can also watch the Regular City Council meeting online, or on Cox Channel 84 and Verizon Channel 42.
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Work Session: 5:30 PM, Large Conference Room, City Hall, 2nd floor
City Council will hear an update update on the City’s “FOG” Program (Fats, Oils, Grease), and discuss the public meeting process for Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) text amendments to the Unified Development Ordinance (more on this below). Council will also discuss two items that will be delved into further during the Regular Session agenda (shown below): initiation of the Planned Development-Residential District Ordinance and the Floodplain Overlay District Ordinance. The agenda is here.
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Regular Session: 7:30 PM, City Council Chambers, City Hall
The agenda for the Regular Session is here. Among other things, we will:
- hear an update on the Memorandum of Agreement between the City and the Fredericksburg Area Museum, by Dr. Gaila Sims, FAM’s Director of African American History and Special Projects
- vote to appropriate funds (on second reading) for the purchase of an ambulance for the City’s Fire Department (this item is on the Consent Agenda)
- vote on a resolution (two readings required) to amend the FY 2023 Budget to recognize a grant award of $112,225 for the Rappahannock Criminal Justice Academy through the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services (this item is on the Consent Agenda)
- vote on a resolution (one reading required) to extend the term of the Cox Cable Television Franchise (this item is on the Consent Agenda)
- vote on a resolution (one reading required) to authorize the purchase of six transit buses for Fredericksburg Regional Transit
- vote to approve (one reading required) an amendment to a Special Use Permit (SUP) to expand the VFW Post 3103 at its current location on Princess Anne Street at Freedom Lane
- vote to grant (one reading required) a Special Exception for more parking spaces for a proposed Silver Diner Restaurant and Chase Bank with drive-thru, located in Central Park near the intersection of Plank Road and Carl D. Silver Parkway, subject to conditions including installation of two “level three” Electric Vehicle (EV) charging stations (more on this below)
- vote to reappoint three members of the City Towing and Recovery Board
- vote to amend the FY 2023 Budget (one reading required) to appropriate funds to operate the Old Mill Park Entrance Fee Program this year
- vote to initiate (one reading required) certain amendments for consideration by the Planning Commission, that would repeal the City’s Floodplain Overlay District ordinance and replace it with a model ordinance provided by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation allowing the City to remain in the National Flood Insurance Program under the new FEMA flood maps
- vote to initiate amendments to the Planned Development-Residential District regulations for consideration by the Planning Commission, that would increase allowed residential density from 6 to 24 units per acre, among other things
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About Public Comments
Citizens who wish to participate in the public hearing or public comment period during a regular City Council meeting (not a Work Session) will be able to speak in person or send their comments in writing. Please click here for public comment guidelines.
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- Economic Development Authority (EDA) Meeting: Today, Monday, February 13th at 8:30 AM at the Executive Plaza, Third Floor (601 Caroline Street). You can find the agenda here.
- Architectural Review Board (ARB) Meeting: Tonight, Monday, February 13th at 7:00 PM in Council Chambers at City Hall. You can find the agenda here.
- Planning Commission Meeting: Wednesday, February 22nd at 6:30 PM in Council Chambers at City Hall. When available, you can find the agenda here.
- School Board Meeting: Monday, March 6th at 6:30 PM (closed session) and 7:30 PM (open session) in the School Board Chambers at the Walker-Grant Center, 210 Ferdinand Street. When available you can find the agenda here.
- After tonight, the next City Council meeting is on Tuesday, February 28th at 5:30 PM (Work Session) and 7:30 PM (Regular Meeting). When available, you can access the agendas here.
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We’re starting to see a lot more electric vehicles (EVs) on our roads. With the changeover from combustion engines to electric, we are experiencing new economic opportunities in Fredericksburg as well as some significant charging infrastructure challenges.
Most folks with EVs charge their cars at home. Visitors to Fredericksburg charge theirs at public EV charging stations. According to one source, there are more than 30 public EV charging stations in the Fredericksburg Area (see above map). More stations are being planned.
As you might imagine, private businesses are willing to install EV charging stations along major highways for the public to use because it attracts EV drivers to stop and visit their establishments, while their vehicle is charging. Thus, EV charging creates economic opportunities for local businesses.
Fortunately, the City already has some tools to incentivize more public EV charging stations. For instance, in a new development where the project requires a Special Use Permit or a Special Exception, the City can attach reasonable conditions to the approval of the project. We’re starting to see that now right here in Central Park. For example, a diner and bank are being proposed to be built in Central Park near Route 3, just off I-95, which requires a Special Exception to the City’s parking requirements.
City Staff has recommended that the developer add two level three EV charging stations to the project as a condition of approval, and last week the Planning Commission recommended approval with that condition to City Council. Council will hear this matter at its meeting tomorrow night. Adding the EV charging stations does not appear to be contentious, because it aligns with current/future travel market conditions and creates opportunities to attract more customers to the diner and bank.
Level three EV stations like the ones being proposed for this project are the “fast chargers” of the EV vehicle world. They come in different flavors of power/speed capabilities depending on the amounts of amperage they generate. Even a low-amperage level three station will fully charge a typical passenger car in under an hour, much faster than level one or level two residential EV chargers.
As EV charging stations increasingly appear along our routes of travel, more and more folks will buy electric vehicles. One of the great challenges of fully embracing this new technology involves EV charging at home. For folks who have a driveway, installing a personal EV charging station along the side of the house is a fairly straightforward project.
When there’s no driveway and the vehicle to be charged is parked along the street curb, things get much more complicated. Imagine power cords crossing he sidewalk from the house, and the tripping hazards (as well as wheelchair inaccessibility) that would entail. For homes that lack a driveway, we need to find solutions that allow curbside charging without sacrificing pedestrian safety. To be sure, the challenge of how to implement residential on-street EV charging must be solved as part of reaching our community-wide goal of powering the City with 100% renewable energy sources by no later than 2050, as found in the City’s 100% Renewable Energy Resolution of 2019. Stay tuned for more on residential EV charging as things begin to move forward.
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I wrote in the last newsletter about the benefits of robust public engagement on the question of whether the City should allow Accessory Dwelling Units by-right. At the January 10th City Council meeting, we voted 5-2 to initiate the public hearing and Planning Commission review process. Since then, the schedule of community meetings and public hearings has emerged:
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The ADU Meeting Schedule is subject to change. I will post updates on my Facebook and Instagram pages, as well as in my bi-weekly newsletters.
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The City has a webpage devoted exclusively to the proposed ADU ordinance. It also includes some Frequently Asked Questions, and a ton of information about how other localities in Virginia are regulating ADUs. You can read the current draft of the ADU ordinance here, along with an analysis by City Staff which includes Frequently Asked Questions and an on-street parking analysis.
I have not yet made up my mind about the ADU ordinance. Certainly, the devil is in the details about the ordinance that will eventually make its way to City Council. By that time, the ordinance tweaking that will come about through the Planning Commission and Planning Department public meetings may present a very different ordinance to talk about, compared to the initial draft ordinance that existed at the beginning of this process. I am attending each of the Community Sessions and Public Hearings to see for myself what information is being provided and what the public is concerned about.
As you probably know, ADUs stir passion among City residents, both for and against. That’s a good thing. It means people are engaged, and they care deeply about the future of our remarkable City. I do think, as I always have, that it’s important that we stick to the facts and not allow personal attacks or false narratives to cloud the great conversations that are taking place. Thankfully, in our City, there’s very little of that going on. I hope you will follow the public process and weigh in on ADUs going forward. This is your community, and these are your friends and neighbors.
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Recently, I was pleased to join fellow elected officials from Fredericksburg and nearby jurisdictions in the 7th Congressional District for a meeting and lunch in Washington DC with U.S. House Representative Abigail Spanberger. Mayor Greenlaw, Councilwoman Devine, City Manager Tim Baroody, and I comprised the Fredericksburg contingent. Among other things, we were briefed on several Federal funding opportunities that are coming down the pike. Afterwards, Congresswoman Spanberger gave us a fascinating personal tour of the U.S. Capitol building. It was a day to remember. I am heartened that we have elected leaders in DC who are actively engaging with local communities and helping us make the most of our voice in Washington.
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FY 2024 Budget Process Begins
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This is just a quick heads up to let you know that the process of creating next year’s budget has started. Like last year, I will do my best to keep you informed. And, of course, you can always keep up through the City’s public meetings as well. At this stage, we don’t yet have the budget calendar, but FCPS has submitted its budget and the various City Departments have gotten their numbers together. The City Manager’s Office is working to put together its presentation of a proposed budget and budget calendar, which will probably come out in March. This Spring, there will be several public meetings and votes that you can attend and provide your input. We’ll have a final budget in place by this Summer. For reference, you can check out the current year’s budget here.
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Marguerite Bailey Young at the State of the Union
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photo from Warner Press
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At 94 years old, our very own iconic and celebrated Changemaker, Marguerite Bailey Young was invited by Senator Mark Warner to attend the State of the Union Address last Tuesday at the Nation’s Capital. Senator Warner invited Ms. Young as an example of how important affordable healthcare is to our community. Read more about her appearance here.
More than that, Ms. Young has led a remarkable life of service and love for her community. Her 40-year career as an educator is rich with accomplishments and influence. She’s obtained grant funding for underprivileged students, helped create a community tutoring program, and helped implement a program to cover the college application costs of minority students. These are just some of the reasons why the Fredericksburg branch of the NAACP has established the Marguerite B. Young Excellence in Education Awards to recognize, encourage and support excellence in Fredericksburg City Schools.
Ms. Young is also a changemaker for improving people’s access to healthcare. She is a founder of the Healthcare Assembly which helps assess community medical needs, and she was a member of the Mary Washington Hospital Board of Trustees for twelve years (1988 to 2000). Ms. Young helped establish the Community Benefit Fund and she helped create mobile health programs in public school districts. At Shiloh Baptist Church (Old Site) she directed the wellness center there.
I could go on and on. There is simply no one who compares to Ms. Young, and we have been forever blessed that she chose to be so active in our community.
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Coldest Night of the Year
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Have you heard about this? I mentioned it very briefly at the end of my last newsletter. Since then, an interesting thing happened.
A little background: Coldest Night of the Year is a nationwide, family-friendly walk on February 25th in cities all over the country to benefit local charities that serve people experiencing hurt, hunger, and homelessness. In Fredericksburg, we’re walking to raise money for Micah Ecumenical Ministries.
In our amazing little City, the response has been nothing short of astounding. Fredericksburg is leading the country – by far – in the number of walkers and money raised. As of yesterday, over $90,000 has been raised and over 400 walkers have registered, smashing through the initial goal of $59,000. There are some great teams of people walking together. I joined the Pay it Forward Team, led by Anita Crossfield, which is doing really well. Other teams are, too. Check them all out here, where you can also find a team to join and/or donate.
Watch this video from Ted Schubel at B101.5 where Clay Murray and Jill Clare of Micah Ecumenical Ministries talk about The Coldest Night and how it works.
I asked Meghann Cotter, Micah’s Executive Director, what she thought accounted for the tremendous outpouring of support by the Fredericksburg community. Unsurprisingly, she credited the relationships within our community. It started within the faith community and has extended well beyond that. Because of the people who live here, Meghann says “we have everything it takes to be a community where nobody sleeps outside.” I believe that’s true.
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Is it Too Early To Talk About Baseball?
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Not really. In the Major Leagues, Pitchers and Catchers Day is tomorrow – February 14th. So, I think it’s the perfect time to remind everyone that the FredNats Game Opener is 53 days away, on April 7th. There are some exciting new players that the Washington Nationals have picked up who will start their careers right here in the Virginia Credit Union Stadium. And, the stadium is adding some great new amenities. I’ll be at every game I can get to, and I hope to see you there. Get your tickets here.
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Mellow Mushroom Palentine's Day
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I love to talk about Ward 2 businesses that are doing great things for the community. Today, on February 13th, from 3:00 – 8:00 PM, Mellow Mushroom is having a charity give-back night where 15% of your purchase goes towards helping the Fredericksburg SPCA. Check it all out here.
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What's New at the Visitor Center
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"B.B." acrylic painting by Leroy Brown
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Have you been to the Visitor Center this month? I highly recommend you stop by and spend a little time in the auditorium looking at the stunning art that is hanging there by Mr. Leroy Brown, a local artist (and former Marine). His work and his story, both, are really unusual and remarkable. Check out his story here.
Also on exhibit is the beautiful photography of Sheila Robinson Jones, a local photographer who regularly shows at the Fredericksburg Center of the Creative Arts and also works for the Sheriff’s office.
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Join your FCPS families for FCPS February Family Night on February 22nd at James Monroe High School (2300 Washington Avenue).
5:00 PM: Doors open for families to visit school tables for resource information
5:15 – 6:00 PM: Dinner will be served
6:00 PM: The local Red Cross and the FXBG Fire Department will share tips on fire prevention and opportunities for Free Fire /Smoke Alarm installation.
6:15 – 6:45 PM: Join your school families in the designated location for a discussion with school administrators about “Why school attendance Matters!”
Please register your family for dinner by clicking here or by contacting your school FACE Committee member:
- Preschool FACE Rep: Megan Dougherty – email or 540-372-1130
- HMES FACE Rep: Lita Brown – email or 540-372-1115
- LES FACE Rep: Jonathan Williamson – email or 540-310-0029
- WGMS FACE Rep: Marco Padilla – email or 540-372-1145
- JM FACE Rep: Bryan Godfrey – email or 540-372-1100
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Recap: Superintendent Community Roundtable #4
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I recently participated in the fourth FCPS Superintendent Community Roundtable. It was great seeing so many community-based organizations in attendance. I came away more hopeful than ever for the future of public education in Fredericksburg and the integral role that community stakeholders can play in the process.
The focus of this roundtable was academic achievement and the need for additional student support. After a lively panel discussion, we broke out into small groups and worked on responses to these three questions:
- What do you think are the challenges for student academic success in FCPS?
- What can the community do to directly address these challenges to support the students and schools?
- What are you currently doing or what can you do to partner with FCPS to further student academic success?
A recap of the roundtable will be available soon, so keep an eye on the FCPS website.
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- 72nd Fine Arts Show & Sale: I talked about this in my last newsletter. This is your reminder that the entry deadline is February 17th. You can find entry information and register online here.
- Lane Closures at the VRE Train Bridge: Intermittent lane closures on Charles, Princess Anne, Caroline, and Sophia Streets have begun in the immediate area around the Fredericksburg Virginia Railway Express (VRE)/Amtrak station for preliminary work prior to the beginning of the bridge repair work. This first stage is anticipated to be completed by the end of March 2023. Click here for more information.
- FXBG.com: There’s no way to cover everything to see and do in the City in this Newsletter. Click here to learn about more great things to do.
- Boards and Commissions: The City is seeking City resident volunteers to serve on its very important boards and commissions. It really is a great way to be involved in the City. I started as a member of the Architectural Review Board and look what happened! If you’d like to serve your City on a Board or Commission, visit the City’s Boards and Commissions page here.
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Feel free to reach out to me anytime. I want to hear your ideas, priorities, and concerns. The other day a resident asked me why one of the two speed radar signs on the 900 block of William Street was missing. I asked City Staff about it and relayed the answer back to the resident: the sign had been vandalized and could not be repaired. The Traffic Department is currently checking on pricing and availability of a replacement, so I anticipate seeing a new speed radar sign there soon.
The next newsletter is scheduled to come out on February 27th. Previous editions of my newsletter can be found here.
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As always, take care and be good to each other,
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Note the email address from which this newsletter was sent is not monitored. If you wish to email me, please use my City government email address. I’d be happy to talk to you about your priorities for the City.
Please be aware that all email correspondence to and from my City government email address is subject to the Virginia Freedom of Information Act and the Virginia Public Records Act which may result in monitoring and disclosure to third parties.
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