This is just like The black one. >> Yes. >> One for yourself. Yeah, absolutely. person. >> I'm with Conor on that. Take my glasses off. Take these off.
You sort of flash. turtle that I was soaking wet after we brought home. Okay, that was the worst bike ride I've started to and then it started really snowing and my my
slushy like I had no gloves. Luckily Andrew was there and I was like I can't I can't and I couldn't I like was trying to use like
my I'm sorry. >> He's so far away. So far out. Get ready. >> It's your first time all these moments. >> Hand it to the next person. Say goodbye.
Sorry though. I mean with the you might have >> do what he's killing Sit right there. I didn't see that. So, Yeah. We're going
to try Thanks. I find Yep. >> I was happy about that. >> I call the Charlottesville City Council work session to order. This is for outside and nonprofit agencies. Um, Madame Clerk, will you please call the
role >> here? A here. Councelor Fleer here, councelor Bing >> here, >> and councelor Smith is traveling. >> He might we we might see him virtually. >> Yes. >> Um so tonight we're having our work
session on um outside and nonprofit agencies. So we have a big turnout tonight, which is great. Um after we have our discussion, we will have public, you know, comment and we're going to um because we have so
many people, I think we're on the third page now. We're going to um have you all to keep it to um two minutes. Two minutes when you come up to speak. So if you have something written down, if you can, you know, you have a little time now to
>> cut and paste or edit what you have. So we won't be here all night. >> Um so two minutes when it's time. So, um, >> I will turn it over now to, um, city manager Sanderson. >> Good evening, counselors. Good evening,
members of the public. Uh, and because we have such a well attended meeting this evening, I'm going to not spend a lot of time just simply indicate that tonight we are on work session number two in the review of proposed FY27 budget. As I've described, it's been a challenging year. It's been an
interesting process to try to get through. We are moving through the process as quickly as we can and we look forward to you hearing uh from the community tonight and then beginning the process of finalizing this aspect of the budget so that we can then move to the CIP and the closure of the budget on
April 9th. So I'll turn it over to Miss Hamilton. >> Oh good evening council public. Um thanks for attending the work session. We have as you know uh preparing the budget takes a village and so we have a lot of friends here tonight to talk about different things. Um as we go
through uh computer will work. Uh as we go through tonight's agenda we will talk about the vibrant community fund first. Uh we'll talk about the hops awards. Um we'll talk briefly about the fundamental agencies and the intergovernmental
agency budgets. Um, and then we will move on to public comment. And so with that, I will turn it over to Honor Smith. >> Hello everyone, everybody out there. >> Um, I'm here to present on the Barber Community Fund for FI27 and I don't have
a ton of things to go over. I try to condense it down to save everyone's everyone's time. Um, so the priority areas for FI27 were based on the city council strategic plan included the following categories. public safety and housing. Although housing applications
are put in a different kind of portal, a different pool that is still one of the priority areas. Uh transportation, climate action, commitment to justice, equity, diversity, inclusion, education, economic prosperity, and recreation, arts and culture. Uh we did hold information sessions and orientations
for applicants uh in person and virtually prior to the release date. Um and recordings available too on the website along with weekly office hours during navigation period. Um orientation for review panel members were held and
this year we had a a large number of panel me panel members. We want to give a always want to give a shout out to the review teams uh for city councilors that don't know staff that don't know we we have people from the community that that do this. I think this year we had about 35 folks that came in and helped us with that and we really appreciate that that
anyone that's here or watching virtually we really appreciate that. Office of Budget and Grants Management U participated in interviews as well and offered up to 10 bonus points for priority area alignment and five offered for financial stability. Those are my words. Uh so those those kind of
summarize how we did that. Next slide please. There were a total of 86 application for the VCF process and there were nine arts and cultural events applications. We say it that way because the arts and cultural events applications although they come through the uh Zoom grants
portal they are handled separately and so we just separate them out that way um as we talk about them. Uh one VCF application was removed to a housing funding opportunity hops and six were deemed ineligible due to not having a 5013C status or or due to having ex or
or due to having existing with the city. Uh the ineligibility issue came to light after applications were received and reviewed. And so I know some folks applied understanding that that was part of the instructions, but that we we found that out during the process. Um
the most updated VCF report does list those programs that would be ineligible in the summary section at the end. Is that up, Chrissy? The newest one. The new report. It's updated on the website for anybody wants to see it. Um the total amount requested for FI27
um not including the one application moved to the housing opportunity uh was 5.4 million plus. Uh the total number of funded applications was 71 and that number would increase to 80 with including the arts and cultural event applications. Next slide.
The report reflects percentage award levels of 91% 48% and 27% of each grant proposal. The review teams read, reviewed, and scored applications based on the scoring matrix that's available on the BCF web page. So anybody that wants to see the
matrix or the orientation or any any of those things, all that's available on the website during the whole the whole process. Applications with average scores of 90 or higher, we're in the 91% award level. 80 to 89, we're in the 48% level. 70 to 79 where the 27 27% award level and
scores below zero 70 were not funded this year. Uh the primary factor of funding level is due to the total amount of funds requested compared to the total available funds. Um that number is wrong by the way. It should be 5.4. So I have the wrong number there. Uh that's 5.4
plus versus a $2.6 million budgeted amount for BCF. That's primary reason. So, we have a lot of folks asking for for funding and we don't have the same amount of level same amount of money available to to award out. U again, thanks to the community reviewers out there that spent their time with Reggie
and I Reggie. Hello. Reggie, help me out this year. >> I want to add a couple quick notes on top of that. The ineligibility issue um some folks in here, we probably didn't do the best job handling that as a team. It was a new thing that happened this year. We weren't prepared for that. And
so, I don't know that we did the best job reaching out to those few folks. I think was six that were deemed ineligible. We should have reached out to you guys during the process. We didn't. Uh so we we reflected on that, made some adjustments for next year. Should that happen again? Um and I do appreciate the the folks at Bennett Village reached out to me and brought
that to my attention and I appreciate that feedback and so it helped. And so it did help us kind of re-evaluate how we handle those changes that were that were unexpected. Um, I also want to say for me the the award levels and the percentages don't reflect the programs here. It just
reflects how the applications are reviewed and scored by by our review panels. These programs out here are amazing. I know a lot of good people out there. Everybody here does a really good job. I just want to say from the review team and the department that the results are not indicative of what programs do or how they operate. Uh, so I still
really like what we do out here. It's a they do a lot of good work that doesn't always get recognized. So I wanted to point that out. That's all I have believe. Thank you. >> Do you want to talk about alt arts and culture or >> Oh, yeah. I forgot.
>> Um, I didn't look at these this year. So, I don't have a ton to say about these wonderful arts events programs. I didn't I didn't work on them, but these are the award levels that these programs are receiving this year. Again, they
were reviewed in a separate process. And you can see, which I can't quite see because I don't have my glasses with me. I'm gonna look at Chrissy's computer, everybody. Excuse me. Uh, you can look on the first column is the requested amount for FI27 and the proposed amount and is in the second column. And then
the percent change is just I think from last year >> from the request >> from the request to the proposed. Um, right. So that's that's really all I have to say about the arts cultural events program. So >> and I'll add in in regards to the
management of these um requests uh by pulling them out of the VCF fund, the desire for me was to remove where possible requests that we were processing that could be funded in a different way so that more funds could be available for actual program related
activities. So by pulling them out of the BCF proper, we're now using what is labeled the quality of life fund. That is my discretion. And I'm using that to basically make grant contributions to events that are aimed at really focusing
on the enrichment of our broader community at large. And the requests that come in, we look at those and we make um contributions based on size and scope of the project. So the reach, the number of people that are attending and where we see indications that they're
bringing people to the city as well. So that is an economic development benefit of some kind. So that's the basis of why you see the numbers moving from one to the next. And the again the goal was to make more money available in the programming space by removing a one-time
fund that I'm managing to a process of eventually having what would be a parallel to your strategic initiatives fund. I would have a flex fund to do things like this. How much is in the quality of life fund? >> The initial allocation was 500,000. We are in year two of that. So, it is far
from that today. Uh we're working towards it being a three-year project before we settle on what it comes in at for a recurring amount. >> So, it came in through VCF. It was flagged >> as just a way to receive it so that they submit a request. Okay. And then it comes to my office. >> So, that review team never saw these. It
just went straight to yours. Okay. Also, too, everybody comes through. So, intergovernmentalbody comes through that same super thing. Moving on. Um we'll move on to Maline who will talk about house. >> Yep. I'm um Oh, and good evening council
and everyone that's here. I'm Maline Metsler, the acting housing program manager. Um and I'll be presenting FY27 HOPS grant program funding and HOPS stands for housing operations and program support. Um, as Hunter mentioned, these would have been a part
of BCF, but starting in FY24, they were pulled aside into their own lane. And, um, there is a separate committee that reviews these, that is the Cath committee, um, the Charlottesville affordable housing fund committee, and they are also made up of resident volunteers as well as staff. They review
those applications and then make funding recommendations for you all to consider. uh notice of funding was uh released in August and we received 14 applications including the one that was moved over from VCF into HOPS because it was uh
really clearly aligned with the HOPS the HOPS program. Um and that uh the totaling those 14 applications total one just under 1.4 million in funding requests and there is $575,000 available to award. Um, so it's it's a
tough uh decision every year for the committee. They do a really great job trying to um balance all of the requests with uh that pool, but it it it gets tough because again like Hunter mentioned, all of the programs are offering really important services to
the city. We also had workshops and technical assistance. Um when the application period was open, applications were reviewed using an effective rubric with a maximum possible score of 105 points. The rubric
evaluates program effectiveness, organizational strength, alignment with city housing priorities and the impact on vulnerable populations among other um more detailed criteria that are on the screen there. And each application was scored by the committee members individually, then
discussed um collectively before final scores were averaged. Based on the final scores, applications were grouped into four tiers. Um the first year was over 100 points for those that did receive uh some of the bonus points. Um,
oh, and I should have mentioned that the one of the factors that uh goes into those bonus points is if the the program is serving the homeless community or helping to reduce homelessness um or impacted in a positive way in the city as well as for just a really exemplary
application that stood out to the committee. >> Oh yeah. So um three applications were in that over 100 points category. Eight applications were between 90 to 99 points. Two applications were at 80 to
89 points and one application was below 80. So you can see there was a really overall very high scores. And um yesterday we published the hops report in advance of this budget work session based on feedback from previous years.
And uh one important f we found there was an error that we found. So you'll see on here there's two um two funding level levels that one was the initial recommendation that the fund the committee made um for each tier and then we had to make some minor adjustments um
based on an error that was made which I'll get into in a moment. Um but that that results in those applications with the highest scores um would get 70% of their requested funding and in the next tier they would get
44.7% of their funding request followed by 19% of the third tier for the third tier and the fourth tier um was not recommended for funding. So, here are the requested all of the requests. Well, except for the one that
um I should have put that on here. I apologize that didn't receive a recommendation for funding, but these are all of the recommendations um and with the correction that happened with those percentages. Uh after publication, we identified a formula error in the internal spreadsheet that affected one
application uh application for case management program. Uh mistaken reference pulled in an incorrect amount and so we were factoring in a request of $30,000, but their actual request was $120,000.
Um so rather than recommending them for only $15,000 of funding, that was um not not what the committee's intention was. So that was why we made the corrections to those percentages and >> and that's hope house or patchum. >> This is patchum. Yes. So they Oh. Oh my
goodness. Yes. So it was for the correction the corrected column is correct. >> Um but yes the request is well you can see how it happened in the first place. Um >> so hope house was really 30. House requested 30,000 and was recommended for
the tier 2 percentage which was ultimately $13,410. Patchcham requested $120,000 in funding also in tier 2. So the same percentage of funding request as um Hope House, but that would ultimately mean $53,000 and
640 cents in funding, not 15,000, which would be a really significant decrease in funding for Patchchum. And I'm really glad that they reached out when they saw that because that was again not the intention of the committee. Um
and so yeah the because the award percentages were based on the um request amount that error happened and once it was identified I consulted the committee and they reached a consensus on the correction. Um so that keeps all of the
hops allocations at $575,000 total. uh but maintains the same funding tiers but it does result in a little bit less funding for those tier two and tier three applicants. >> Can I ask question applications? So since they're getting awarded the
formula based x percentage of request, does the request have to be specifically tied to certain things that are outlined or can they just request whatever money they would like and hope to get x amounted? >> It they have to show in their budget
like the specifics of what that funding is for. Um because right to your point that you could see well if I just ask for more then I'll get more. really >> and I think you know they PE applicants may tailor their applications to think oh maybe we maybe we should be thinking
about a different program or something that is a better fit or asking to cover different expenses associated with the program um to be more likely to be funded because I think too if they came in and asked you know too much of a large amount that wouldn't benefit it
because we can't really give so much money just to one applicant that wouldn't be fair either which is another factor factor that's a committee really has to balance um because it is fair to use the percentages but it is tough when yeah if you have somebody asking for $10,000
versus $200,000 um and yeah so we have those those corrected and the report that was published yesterday will also be corrected it it wasn't in time for this meeting but um slides were able to be corrected next slide Slide please.
So after uh the budget is approved, what happens is the recipients must sign their agreements within three months and the funds must be used within 12 months. Each organization submits quarterly reports and uh they don't receive their
quarterly funding until we receive those reports. So that's one of the compliance mechanisms that's been incorporated in the last few years which has really helped with compliance as you might imagine. Um and this table also shows just a little bit about some of the
performance over time. Okay. Um we had 13 out of the 14 applications uh recommended for funded this year which was an improvement of 93% of the applications have funding um compared to you can see in FY25 was 47% of the
applications were funded um and this is the highest in the four years of the hops program but as I mentioned the total requests continue to significantly exceed the available funding um >> and the available funding is going down >> well so that's the available funding has
always been published at $575,000, but there have been times when council has elected to go above and beyond that. So, that is where the total funded um is there, but we are generally trying to keep it within the the budget of
$575,000 as we publish. But to your point, yes, without any additional funding above that amount and just seeing the overall quality of applications improve since we've refined the process and worked with the applicants
um and the amount just the number of applications remaining a high amount. It does mean that if we are funding more applications then the amount of the awards does go down a bit and um overall requests continue to
outpace funding as I said but the FY27 cycle reflects a strong set of applications really consistent alignment with the city's housing objectives and the HOPS program continues to support a broad range of services across the community. Um, and I know that if if it
were to go away, I we would have an even larger crowd here tonight because all of the recipients of this award um are are really appreciative of what the city contributes. >> And that's it for any questions or comments. I'm available. Thank you.
>> Thank you. So, real quickly, we'll just um the next few slides are just a a a display of um this slide here is a display of what the fundamental agencies uh requested and
what is in the proposed budget. Um generally, most of those were about a 3% increase. There were a few that had some programmatic changes which end up with higher um increases that you see here in
those situations. Um CRA and FAR um both um as you see submitted a large request um and we worked on those but did not fully fund those but did fund a a you know a larger increase.
Um and then um that that's it basically here on those unless someone has oh offender aid and restoration. Um part of that increase is the coming home program which was formally um housed in the department of
human services in terms of funding and we moved that to the general fund. Um, so it is showing an increase here, but that was actually about a $10,000 decrease in that program um in the funding. Uh, but it it does add about
$50,000 to the funding in the general fund. >> Chissy, sorry. You said for CRA and FAR, they had requested X money, but it looks like bar got funded above their request. >> Um, this right?
bar requested. Oh, that might not be right. That looks like an error. >> Yeah, I think I think that must be an error. I'll check on that for you. >> The request was hiding. >> Yep. I'm I apologize. We'll check on that.
>> There's a lot of boxes on these. >> Pardon me. >> There's a lot of boxes to get right. Yeah. Yeah. >> I understand every once in a while there something switched. >> We'll check on that. get back to you. >> Um the intergovernmental agencies uh
most of these are agreements orus that um the city has. >> Um I'm sorry. Thanks. So one just remind me of the the bottom one. What the 4500 is part of the central chain. That's the Afton Express and that's actually paid
out of CAT the CAT budget but it is a fun we do treat it like a fundamental agency. >> Excuse me. Um everything on the borrow requested 100,000. So unless they
only request for 100,000. Unless they spoke separately about 125, which I think they did put in a separate 125 >> different numbers. >> We'll confirm. >> Um, >> everything on this slide are basically
the result of submitted budgets. A lot of these we have board members uh on the boards for these agencies and they're the result of contractual changes. Excuse me. Uh same for this slide
and this sorry to back up real quick. This line item for the jail is just operations, not renovations. >> It's both. So, it is um operations and most of the increase that you see here is related to the debt service for the
renovations. Excuse me. And then finally, this is the last of this group. And so overall, um, there was, uh, about 20.7 million that was requested, 20.4 that was funded, and that resulted
in about a $1.4 million or 7.4% change over last year. >> So, may I ask a question? >> Yeah. Um so CIC the intergovernmental agency funding is
again more of an operational fund because they also apply for a VCS grant which is a programmatic fund. Is that the difference? Okay. Thank you. >> And that's all we have in terms of a formal presentation.
I just want to remind you next things coming up. Um, Monday night will be a first opportunity for the public to speak on the tax rate that's currently in the budget. April 6 will serve as the official public hearing on the tax rate
as it needs to be noticed in a in the newspaper and it will be advertised on March 26. So there'll be two opportunities for the public to speak on that and um the first of which is Monday night and with that uh this is the
calendar of what's left. We have two public hearings on the tax rate I just mentioned. Next Thursday night will be our community budget forum which is on the budget overall and then we'll be moving towards adoption on April 9th. Um and next week the meeting same
meeting is here at six six o'clock. >> Correct. That's for the overall overall budget. So before we um take comments from the public, we just want to kind of have our discussion of it. So um we can just
chime in if you have questions or >> Oh, sorry. before we do that. The so the community budget forum that's here next week is like the different stations with staff that people can walk around or >> it's it's the same opportunity to for
you to hear from the public. >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> Thanks. >> That was different. You interactive. Yeah. >> Yeah. Okay. Because those were called that same thing. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Thank you. Um, so did you have any comments on just in
general? >> No, I think >> you have >> I have a question. >> Yeah. Are you surprised that I have a >> So generally speaking, do we contribute
from the strategic fund to to ops or uh fundamentals or we just that's not really what that that's not there's not a space for that. So the desire that I've been working with you all on is to receive the requests for the program
related funding opportunities that we advertise people respond to and the awards are recommended that the goal would be for you to consider those as presented accept those or adjust them if you so choose and then if there is a
desire to go beyond through your discretionary fund you would make those determinations based on how you strategize about that because you have a limited amount of funding that is available >> and that's it for the year. But >> and and the reminder that I have for you
always is while we're doing this now in March as a part of our budget process for adoption, any decision that you make, you are spending money for effective July 1. And that budget that has been set aside for you is for the
entire year. So if you spend 150,000 of it in this process, you technically start July 1 short 150,000 for the rest of the year. >> And if anything came in between March and July, it would
>> it would be it would be held until July to begin the new process. >> The new uh budget cycle. Do >> you I don't know how much we have left in our current fiscal years. >> Well, you're operating from the idea that you have $500,000 available. Whatever that balance is, we top it off
as the budget. It's 365, I think. >> Yes. The reason why I'm asking is just thinking like >> what do we use this year? >> How much do we hang on for a rainy day versus spend? >> Yeah, you you were able to reach the 1st of March with 365,000 available.
>> Okay. So, we held on to a bit. >> That hasn't been the case in the past. >> Okay. Good. >> And thanks to the thanks again for the review team for all their contributions and you >> Yeah.
>> Yeah. Yeah. I I said, you know, before you know, I got on council and I got on school board began is that I was on the these review committees for 20 20ome years. And that's how I really got to know all of the nonprofits in the
community by reading the applications and getting to know them. Um, so it's doing amazing work in the community. So it's it's good that we have this opportunity. I talked to other counselors across the state and they they just don't have this, you know. So
it's a it's a good problem to have, but um we just don't, you know, I think at 5.4 million of requests and and we have like two and a half 2.3 or something. So it's just a lot of I imagine a lot of
tough decisions to be made. um by um the reviewers are now ultimately the the five of us. Um so um so um I know we have been contacted by a lot of nonprofits about you know their funding
um whether they like what they had and they may want a little bit more or they didn't get anything and you know want some justifications or they got something and wanted a little bit more. it's all kind of in there together and and you know um so it's
this wasn't enough pie to go around um but um we always work work through it. So um so um we have a lot of people to speak. I think that we probably want to get out discussion now because maybe when it's
over we might be may not be in the ready to to comment you know for us to have discussion on it. So do you have any questions now >> or comments? >> And I'll share that the thought is that
based on the the volume of comments if there's time left then you can begin having discussions. We're looking for answers. So, you got to make decisions or recommendations or questions that even if we don't get to discussion tonight. The community budget forum is
next Thursday. We don't know how many people will show up. That's on the global budget. So, there could be even more people. It all depends especially because that other word was discussed and people might come out for that. So, if that turns out to be the case, then we may have time next week and if so,
you'll have the ability to do that discussion. Then we have the CIP as the following week. We usually don't use all the time for the CIP. So you might be able to have some discussion, but the April 2nd work session is the one that is not programmed and that's meant to be
the last ditch effort final discussions on everything. I anticipate we will have things to talk about. So, if we could get this resolved sooner, then that would mean that that meeting would actually go as needed because the 9th is coming fast >> and that's all we got.
>> Yeah. So, before we get comments from the public, do we have any clarif clarification questions from council or anything? Right now, >> we're we are we ready to determine
what amount we want to supplement if at all? Do we want to set up? >> I kind of want to hear. >> Okay. Yeah. >> And then chat at the end. And if there's 60 slots and waits, 30 slots in two minutes, that'll give us some time at the end still to chat. >> Super. Okay.
>> So, Kina, are you going to call the >> Okay. >> Her speaker is Sakina Alcatiz. >> So, um Kina, she's coming up. Um remember, it's two minutes. If you could tell, let the next person know so they can be ready. So we can they can be ready.
>> Next person is Adam Neut. My name is Alib and I'm the revenue and partnerships lead for ladder >> for Charlottville tomorrow. As this is our first time being considered, I'm not here to request additional funding, but to reiterate the importance of our program. Charlottville tomorrow is a
community focused and equity centered nonprofit newsroom that's been around for 20 years. We're dedicated to creating equitable access to trustworthy information and amplifying voices that have historically been excluded from local media and decision-making spaces. Our news and resources are free to all.
Our program, the Community Growth and Visibility Program, offers free marketing opportunities to local small businesses and nonprofits, especially those led by or serving underrepresented communities while strengthening the local news ecosystem. This program aligns with the city's priority of economic prosperity by directly
supporting the financial, health, and visibility of small businesses and nonprofits. Through this initiative, we'll provide sponsorship grants to help organizations promote their programs, services, and events. By offering access to our platform, which reaches tens of thousands of engaged local readers each
month, we're helping organizations expand their reach, attract customers and participants, and build long-term sustainability. This program is particularly impactful for small businesses and nonprofits, which often lack marketing budgets or access to traditional media. We're trying to also solve a timely issue. Charlottesville's
business and nonprofits face increasing barriers to reaching audiences they depend on. In a survey we conducted, many respondents described feeling stuck between expensive, low return advertising options and digital platforms that no longer deliver meaningful reach. Charlottville Tomorrow
is an online only publication that attracts an average of 45,000 to 55,000 engaged readers each month. A highly local audience that cares deeply about civic life, housing, education, and equity. and for our proposed community growth and visibility program. We aim to make that visibility accessible to all.
Thank you so much. >> Thank you, >> Adam Neck followed by Jania Bradford and Kathy Boyd. >> So you hi my name is Adam Nette. I'm going to talk to all of you too in case anyone wants to partner together in the
future. Um I'm with Mima Music. Uh founded 25 years ago at Princeton. We've been here for 10 years in Charlottesville. MIMA used to stand for modern improvisational music appreciation, but that's a mouthful. And uh then we got funded by the US state department to go to about 40 countries
and the name just became MIMA. Mima does collaborative songwriting. We don't have a set song book that we go in and ask people to learn. It's a a methodology we created where kids create their own rhythms, their own melodies, their own lyrics and stories. Then we put it together into professor recordings. All
of this is really just a Trojan horse for the uh social emotional learning skills that we hope to teach things like uh concentration and collaboration and competence. Uh the aim of the proposed project is to provide MIMA after school programs in seven low-income housing
communities. Uh the initiative has been funded by the vibrant community fund for the last two of the city's fiscal years. Thank you very much. And builds on the progress of the work made possible by previous funding. Um in the current cycle we provided programs in all seven housing communities that we set out to
reach serving about 300 youth and adult residents. Uh our school after school programs in these communities have been very effective with approximately 90% of respondents reporting becoming more adept at creating music and that's great but also being more engaged in program
activities being more comfortable with working with people they don't know well. Uh that's really big for us and then making friends over the course of these programs. uh most recent uh funding for our work is less than 50% of the funding we requested. We appreciate it. We're always looking for other
funding opportunities, but as a result, we've had to curtail the length of our programming in some communities, uh and serve others through one day events. Um uh we're able to work when we're able to work with participants for extended periods. Uh we believe that creating that consistency is really important in
building trust. We'd love to be at the 91% level in the future. And thanks so much for your >> Thank you. Grandpa and Kathy Boyd and Nancy Littlefield. >> Good evening. My name is Jice Johnson and I'm in the seven. Good evening.
Before joining the Moon Friends Foundation, I really didn't think much about I just thought it would magically sorry appeared from my mom's purse. This program I learned about saving, budgeting, and making smart choices with
money. Programs like this help kids like myself feel more confident about our future and hopefully help us grow into adults who are smart and confident with harmony. >> Thank you, Jakis. Jak story is exactly
why we're here tonight for young people like him, their families, and the long-term health of our community. Good evening, council members and mayor. I'm Janata Bradford, founder and executive director of Mahogany and Friends Foundation. If any of our board members or community supporters are here
tonight, please stand. >> Thank you. Because building a financially stable community takes partnerships. Over the past two years, with limited city funding, we've served more than 500 youth and families, including over 150 Charlottesville
residents. At Mahogany and Friends, financial education, stability, and economic mobility are at the core of our work. This is preventative work, not reactive. Tonight, we're asking the city to partner with us with a $60 investment, $60,000 investment to expand
financial wellness program. Of that investment, $35,000 will support our high- five savings program at Charlottesville Middle School serving 100 students. This work directly supports the city's priorities: youth development, economic mobility, stronger
families and communities. So, tonight we invite the city to join us in a winning effort to move Charlottesville forward. invested not only in meeting immediate needs, but in the preventative work that helps families move beyond them. Because strong communities aren't built by responding to crisis. They're built by
preparing the next generation before crisis. Thank you. >> Thank you. Great job. >> Littlefield counselors and Mayor Wade. Uh, I'm Kathy Boyd. I'm the executive director of Relief Seagull and this is the green team.
>> Good evening, Mayor Wade and city council members. My name is Julian uh Tony. I'm a senior at CHS and I'm a member of Relief Seville. >> Good evening. I'm Sanju Suba. I'm also a senior at member of Green. We are growing up
hearing people called city of tree. But is this really true? Since 2004 in our lifetime, the city has lost about a thousand acres of tree canopy. It's like losing a massive forest right under our nose. >> We're here to ask you God of you to fully fund and relieve seasonal trees,
planting and education programs because our generous city is going to be liveable. >> I want to talk about equity for a second. If you walk through some neighborhoods in Seville, it's nice, shady, and it's cool. But if you go to other neighborhoods, the canopy is tiny
under 25%. >> On a summer day, those neighborhoods can be 20° hotter than the shaded ones. Think about that. >> While some kids are playing in the shades, others are quite literally burning their hands on playground equipment are stuck inside because their families cannot afford massive AC bills
caused by the sun beating down in others. >> When you fund relief planting programs, you're not just putting a a stake in the ground. You're giving families a break on their bills and cooling down the streets where we live. >> We also can't just keep planting small trees and watching the big ones get cut
down. A huge old oak tree when restored provides air, shade, and beauty right now. >> Our preservation program helps people keep those legacy trees alive, especially for neighbors who can't afford $2,000 to hire arms. >> And for the education side, that's where
we come in. Green Team isn't just a club. We're actually taking care of the environment and learning about careers in forestry. We're out there camping, talking to neighbors, and getting people hyped about their own yards. In four years since Breville started, we've planted 452 trees, preserved 100 trees,
and over 600 young people like us have learned about trees. Thank you all very much. >> Thank you, Nancy Littlefield, followed by Lauren Brondike and Douglas Sto. Good evening.
Thank you for the opportunity to speak with you tonight. My name is Nancy Littlefield. I'm a registered nurse and also the president and CEO of Hospice of the Pemont. As part of our mission and services, I we I also here to represent the Hospice House, which is our community's beloved facility located at
501 Punk Street here in Charlottesville. For those that don't know, our hospice house is a 247 8bedroom home that cares for patients who need hospitals who might be out of hous. We know that resources and care available to people during the six
months may not be experienced equally across the community. Our mission at our organization has been to ensure that every Charlotte school resident regardless of income, housing status or insurance and face lifelimiting illness with support, dignity, comfort and
compassion. Within the city of limits alone on a daily basis, we've supported over 100 residents who have needed end of life supportive care to include clinical care, physician home visits, and caregiver support. As part of our commitment to that community and our
mission, our daily work extends far beyond reaching of the dialing of the dying. We provide care and grief support. We provide kids grief and healing for children within our community because we know that if a child receives grief support, they are healthier as an adult. And through our
serenity fund, we provide over $10,000 in direct financial assistance to families who might need help keeping their lights on or heat on. the strength of our mission as we evaluate our own budget process and the impact of our mission. We know that we've provided just under $300,000 in charity care
specific to Charlottesville patients last year. If we're fortunate to be approved of this grant, I want to give you confidence that the resources that you provide for us will continue to help all residents of city of Charlottesville to make sure we have end of life care support in all reaches of the city.
Thank you. >> Thank you. followed by Samantha Strong and Carol McCluren. >> I'm Moren from New City Arts. I'm joined by one of my board members, Marica, many arts colleagues, and uh gallery regulars. I'm from City Arts. We've been
at VCF Pacificia for the last eight years, um receiving 32,000 this year, consistent with level funding from the last few years. I don't know why our funding was cut to 10,000 for next year. and I realize that organizations should not assume the same level of funding annually. Um, I also want to say thank
you for the support you have given us. Um, and that as the city's needs have grown without a central arts council or coalition during this time, New City Arts has evolved to fill the gap. Our vision, governance practices, and programs intentionally address unjust systems of power historically upheld by
art spaces. Then have our 2027 season in front of you. Um, and in it you'll find things from last year, 12 exhibitions, 150 artists supported, 90,000 distributed to Charlottesville area artists, 7,500 participants, most of whom were city residents. The examples you'll find you'll find in there are not
expensive paintings with high price tags because we don't rely on a high commission to fund our work. We rely on community support. We believe that the the same artists who contribute to Charlottesville's vibrancy should be able to live and work here. However, they reportedly they report consistently that affordability, affordable studio
space, affordable housing, and funding for their work are huge concerns. We are wage certified, which means that we follow national standards for paying artists for their work, including $1,200 exhibitions for solo shows. We are also leading a study to try and bring back an arts council for the city of Charlottesville so that the funding
distributed to arts and culture organizations through VCF could potentially be managed by a dedicated coalition rather than bundled with human services. As a part of the study, um, our job, the local steering committee, their job has been to look in a comp so that we're not looking at places like
New York um, for comparable models. We're looking at cities similar to Charlottesville, like Boulder, who give 1.5 million to arts and culture annually compared to 500,000 given to arts and culture orgs and events through VCF. Um, good news. The one of the strategies in the city's plan is to increase the pool of funding overall to arts and culture
organizations, and we're asking for 24,000 to bring our own funding back up to comps next year. compared to the last couple of years that we've received through BTS BTC much. >> So Boulder is coming up again. I think I heard 1.5 and I know that they have a
mall pedestrian mall. So anyway, thank you. Thank you >> Samantha Strong followed by Carol McCinen and her vibes. Good evening and thank you for the opportunity to speak tonight. My name is Samantha Strong and I'm here
representing Bennett's Village as a board member. At its heart, Bennett's Village is about something very simple but very powerful. Creating spaces where everyone in our community can play, connect, and belong. Inclusive spaces matter because play matters. Play is
where children build friendships, confidence, creativity, and resilience. is where families gather, where neighbors meet, where communities grow stronger. I've seen firsthand what happens when inclusive spaces are designed well. My family has visited communities like Carmel, Indiana and
Charleston, South Carolina, where thoughtful playground design has created places where children of all abilities can truly play together. I watched my son play alongside children with different abilities and backgrounds, laughing and exploring together as if those differences didn't exist. I
watched grandparents, including my son's own grandparents, sitting nearby and participating in the space, able to comfortably be a part of the experience instead of watching from a distance. Those spaces weren't just playgrounds. They were gathering places. They were
community builders. And that is exactly what Bennett's Village is working to create here for our community. With the treehouse, Jos's Way, and the continued development of this space at Penn, we're building more than a destination. We're creating a place where children can grow, families can connect, and people
of all ages and abilities can feel welcome. Inclusive spaces support physical health, emotional well-being, and they strengthen the social fabric of a community by bringing together people who might otherwise never have met. Bennett's Village is already showing
what's possible when a community comes together in this vision. And with the continued partnership and long-term support, we have the opportunity to ensure this space continues to grow and serve our families for generations to come. Because when we build places where
everyone belongs, we build a stronger community for us all. Thank you. Thank you, Commander. >> Kara McCclin, Herb Dickerson, and sorry, Annette Anthony. >> Good evening. My name is Karen McClen
and I'm the executive director of Bennett's Village. I come here tonight to provide feedback on how we experienced the vibrant communities fund process and to make the case for city financial support for Bennett. I want to start with appreciation for all involved with the vibrant communities fund. I had
wonderful conversations with them and I'm grateful for their dedication and hard work. As Mr. Smith noted earlier tonight, Bennett's Village was determined to be ineligible for the vibrant community funding because we have an MOU at the city. But there was nothing in the grant application that suggested we would be ineligible.
There's also nothing in our MOU that prevents the city from providing funding to our project. We put time and effort into pro we put time and effort into the process of writing the grant, meeting with the folks from the site visit, and at no time did anyone suggest we might
be ineligible. By not informing us of the eligibility early on, it prevented us from pursuing a different course to seek funding. Successful models of inclusive play spaces have significant financial investment from local government sources
in public private partnership. 20% is generally the standard. Many of our potential funders, individuals, foundations, and government agencies want to know what the city is investing in Bennett's Village, not just in words, but in dollars. The community and the
city government want Bennett's Village to be built, but it takes a village, as our name implies. We're at a critical juncture to demonstrate the city's financial support as we ramp up fundraising efforts for phase two. Given that Bennett's Village was deemed ineligible for the vibrant communities funding, can you help us identify a path
for the city to provide direct financial support for phase 2? Together, we can build a place where all can play. We value our partnership with the city and remain committed to working together to bring this inclusive community play space to reality. >> You
Dickerson and Ed Anthony, Kevin Parks, and Shante Davis. How y'all doing? Doing great. Heard >> he had to step up. I ain't got that much to say. This council all real well the work that we doing in the community as far as fighting gun violence. But in the
five years that we've been working, we noticed it's impossible for us to do this without getting into the in the community and get dealing with the trauma and the poverty that's going on. So we started a community outreach team and they gonna come up and speak and u this is the program manager that runs
outreach team. >> Uh how you doing? My name is Annette Anthony. Uh when we started the buck swad then CBVI now uh we started with our hearts not our heads. So we we let our hearts lead us. You know we too at
the time had the mentality that some of you have where these are just bad people bad kids out committing these gun crimes for no good reason. And as we worked and we saw that a lot of this is trauma related things going on in the household, you know, sometimes out of
their control things with parents, uh sometimes school, sometimes financial, what whatever the need may have been that that made them go outside and and commit these crimes. We finally figured out that we needed to provide wraparound
services that we couldn't just say, "Hey, Hunter, stop doing that. Don't do that anymore." We had to say, "You don't have to do that. You can do this and show them a better way." And a lot of people have never had, we've learned, never had anyone that they could count
on or trust. So, we have to be that constant in their lives and be that support no matter what it looks like. If it looks like a ride, if it looks like filling out job applications, we're in constant communication with them every
day. These are two girls who I know from my community who who I've always, you know, known because the the community, black community in Charlottesville is very small and we all know each other. Our families know each
other. So that is why the Buck Squad I think is so successful. >> Okay. >> Hello, my name is Shantaa Davis. Over the years, trouble followed me all my life. I felt trapped like there was no
way out. January 2025, I became homeless due to unseen circumstances and I felt I had had no way out. Homelessness led me to active addiction and major major depression until I realized I was in my
own way. And if I wanted different results, then I had to be receptive to the help. I didn't do I didn't know where that help would come from, but it came. I received a call from a friend that wanted to know if it was okay to give my number out to someone that could
possibly help me. I accepted that offer and said it was okay. From that moment, my life changed. I started to trust the process with Annette and CBVI. and knowing part of my story. Her knowing part of my story, knowing that
my trauma and my hurt, all they wanted to do was help me in any way possible. She connect me with Ben Allen from the equity centered up and they have been a blessing to my family ever since. When so many doors had closed in my face,
people passed judgment due to things my son were involved in in the community. From grand theft autos to gun val offenses. Now today, 10 months later, I've accomplished goals that I given up on. I'm 10 months clean
and recovery. I have a valid driver's license. I've completed my peer recovery support training. And most importantly, helping people like myself. I'm now one of those outreach people for CBBI
outreach and the support team. The outreach and the support team I have allowed to help me and network. I'm now building I'm now building and have saved my life. Even though I'm not perfect, me trusting the process has allowed me to rebuild my
life in the future with the help of CVBI. How they push me and never stop. So, I'm confident with us receiving these funds, they will help more families with similar situations like myself who have
been in the same or if not different situations. Thank you. >> Congratulations on your >> Amen to that. >> Good afternoon. My name is Siobhan Wilson. Being a single mother, raising a young black man comes with many
challenges, which brings me to this meeting this evening. As my son entered his teenage years, we began facing many obstacles, including peer pressure, learning to make the right decisions, and understanding not everyone around you has everyone around him always has
his best interest. I truly believe it takes a village to raise our children. With the help of my son's mentor, Annette and Kevin, who was connected to him through CBVI, we have been working together to mold my son to be the best version of himself. Before meeting and
Kevin, my son experienced tremendous loss. There were three important men in his life that were taken away. My brother was killed on the downtown mall in October 2022. Right before he passed, we had just signed a lease to get a place together. He was extremely sad
about this. Shortly after losing my brother, I also lost two other brothers to the system. This was a heavy burden even for adults to carry and my son struggled with how to express his feelings. He began acting out and shutting down emotionally. That's where Jayon's mentor Kevin played a very
special role in his life. There was a time when Jed was hanging around the wrong crowd and making decisions that concerned me as a parent. I knew I had to intervene. Kevin stepped in and began checking in with Jay every single day. Since Kevin has been a part of his life, Jay's grades are no longer failing. He
recently took his so test and path and woke up feeling confident and prepared. Kevin truly changed his life. He was heading down a path that I didn't want for him. When I first met Kevin, I shared my concerns and immediately went to work. He showed my son that there was
more to life than the streets. He taught him how to save money, how to think about his future, and how to navigate life's challenges. Most importantly, he showed my son that Most importantly, he showed my son that even when life throws curve balls, he does not have to face
them alone. Programs like CVVI are truly needed for our children. So many young people feel lost because there are not enough resources and opportunities available to them. I stand here tonight as a living testimony that these programs do work. Thank you for your time.
>> Thank you. >> So, I appreciate that. Um, we I know we have some schoolboard members here. They'll be happy to hear the impact it's having on on SOS and um and so as we um the next person Kina has who is it?
>> So, that's all. Okay. Jane Mills followed by Molly Jackson and Carrie Clemens. >> So, as um Jane is coming up As you all can see, we haven't heard any program that's not deserving of funding
today. And so, you get an idea of the difficult decisions that that we have to make. It's no bad programs. We all, you know, we all wish we had funding to to fund them all. But I just want you can see now is that what the decisions that
that council and the reviewers have to make. I'm sorry. >> It's all right. Were you taking part of my two minutes? Heyb, what a great and tough act to follow. Um, I'm Jane Colony Mills from Loaves and Fish's Food Pantry. I'm joined tonight by Ray Gilmer, one of our
board members. And I wanted to thank the city of Charlottesville for recognizing Loaves and Fish's role in feeding our community by awarding vibrate community funding since FY24. I was sad to learn that in the 27 budget, we are proposed to have a 9% decrease in funding. But I understand
the methodology and I know just from looking around the room how many needs there are in our community. >> I wanted to share the impact Loaves and Fishes is having on Charlottesville residents. Since July 1, 2025, Loavo and Fishes has directly provided at least
one week's worth of free healthy groceries to 4565 unique Charlottesville residents. And some of them come every two weeks or some some come once a month. um they are, you know, able to come when they need the food and and get it from us. Um
through our varied food sourcing efforts, which include rescuing more than a million pounds of grocery store food from going to waste, it costs Loaves and Fishes only about $7 per person to provide one week of food. Many of our customers have shared that by coming to Lowe's and Fishes for a
week or two of food each month, they can save money for other basic monthly necessities like housing, health care, child care, transportation. I'm grateful for the city of Charlottesville support, which helps us feed our neighbors. But the need for food has grown 75% over the
last three years, which means that the cost of living in our area is increasingly unmanageable for many people. I know affordability in our area is not going to be solved in the FY27 uh budget, but I would ask city council to consider increasing rather than
decreasing Loaves and Fishes funding in next year's budget. Twothirds of Charlottesville's food insecure people rely on us for one of life's basic needs, food. This year, we're beginning to explore ways of increasing our distributions to get nutritious, healthy food closer to
where food and secure people live. And if there's one more thing I would ask council's support for, it's for a bus stop closer than a half a mile away from the pantry. Thank you for your continued support and for hearing my concerns. >> Thank you,
>> Molly Jackson, Gary Clemens, and Daniellea Prtzer. >> Hi, I'm Molly Jackson, executive director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Central Blue Ridge. Our mission is to create and support one-to-one mentoring relationships that ignite the
power and promise of youth. We provide kids ages 6 through 18 with strong, reliable, professionally supported mentoring relationships that empower and inspire them during the most crucial time of their development. The program is specifically designed to improve academic performance and educational
expectations, increase social emotional learning, decrease negative and risky behaviors, and improve family and peer connectedness. Our bigs provide personalized support, guidance, and encouragement, committing to spending time with their littles two to four times a month. Staff support matches
with active case management throughout the duration of their relationships. Our 2025 outcomes include 87% of our littles improved or maintained their grades or academic performance. 93% reported being better able to manage their emotions and
increase their social competence. 100% avoided contact with the police or juvenile justice system. 96% avoided behavior that led to school disciplinary in action. Equally important are long-term impacts. Littles are 20% more likely to enroll in college after high
school graduation. Littles enter the workforce earning more than their non-mened peers with a 15% higher income between ages 20 and 25. Mentorship closes twothirds of the socioeconomic gap for littles compared with their non-meredtored peers, demonstrating the
power of mentorship to build social capital and foster upward mobility. Our littles exhibit improved behaviors and stronger social bonds, leading to a reduced dependency on social services and long-term societal improvements. Strategic partnerships with businesses,
organizations, and schools in the city, enhance our ability to serve local youth, leverage collective community resources, and fill service gaps by ensuring that our program complements rather than overlaps with existing initiatives. Ultimately, the city's investment in Big Brothers, Big Sisters
is an investment in our local youth, the families of our bigs and littles, and our community as a whole. Thank you. Thank you. >> Harry Clemens, Daniela Przer, and I think this is Joseph Cheney. Hello, I'm Carrie Clemen. I am the
director for Pedmont Regional Dental Clinic. Thank you for the opportunity to speak with you tonight. I'm here to share the impact we are making for Charlottesville residents and respectfully request your support to help us continue our work.
Last year we served 320 city of Charlottesville residents, 110 children and 210 adults. These are working families, seniors on fixed incomes and individuals who do not have access to affordable dental care. We have also partnered with the Charlottesville pre
clinic to um for referrals for comprehensive and emergency care as needed for those patients. As most of you know, oral health is connected directly connected to your overall health. Untreated dental disease leads to many chronic health conditions and
preventable emergency room visits. We're intentional about affordability. Our fee schedules are set at a lower percentile than the private practices for the area to make our care accessible and affordable.
Even with these fees uh lower fees, many of our patients still need financial assistance to move forward with their treatment. And we do offer affordable care programs for adults at half cost. And we see any child that needs dental
care for free. We do not charge the the patient or the family. It we are a safety net dental clinic. Your investment has a meaningful impact and it directly supports our clinical supplies, restored materials and lab cost. It helps fund preventative visits
for many children, restorative procedures, and urgent treatment that prevent far more costly interventions later. Your support demonstrates partnership and shared commitment to the health of Charlottesville residents. I truly appreciate your time and consideration.
Thank you all. >> Thank you. >> Daniela Przer, Joseph Cheney, and Ryan McKay. >> All right. Good evening. U my name is Daniela Prtzer. I'm the executive director of the Bridgeline. We provide services for people with brain injuries.
And you may know that a brain injury can happen to anyone anywhere at any time uh very suddenly. Um we serve people with uh traumatic brain injury, stroke after tumor, infections, domestic violence
victims, strangulation, continued drug abuse. Um and all these cases and the healing does not resolved after their acute rehab. Right? It presents as a executive function uh variability
identity disruption social disconnections um fluctuation uh in the participation capacity and vulnerability during any kind of life transition and it requires really a flexible lifelong lifespan
oriented support and we do that in three programs which have thank you very much been supported by the city for many years. Uh we have a case management program. Case managers go out into uh the homes of the people who have uh a
brain injury or they come to us. We have a prevocational program where we teach life skills and uh skills that they can use to get a job again or volunteer job. And we have a residential program where
people live together um with staff oversight. Um, so and all these programs have always been a life of set their a lifeline for the people we're serving. And as you know, the gas prices, the
food prices, everything went up. And so I was sad to see that our funding was cut uh from last year. I know this always starts with zero, but I would like for you to consider to get our funding as to last year's um funding. Um, and I have another quick request. I
would love to understand how the score happens. How can we better can we apply better and make it clear what we what are we doing? Thank you very much. >> Thank you, >> Joseph Cheney, Ryan McCay, Suzanne Bowers.
>> Thank you guys for listening. Um, my name is Joseph Cheney. Uh I was a one-time member here at the Bridgeline and uh what I found here working at well being a member here at the Bridgeline was that I was able to gain a
perspective as far as seeing what it is I was able to accomplish >> and as far as what the doctors told me that I was able to do and what my parents expected as far as having a brain injury, what I was actually able
to do and my recovery happened a lot faster and I was able to accomplish a lot more than everybody has expected. And so with that, I was wanting to convey that or show that to the other members. and the respect I seen there,
the consistency, the teamwork community uh aspect of it, the comfortability that the members that I seen when I was a member there, uh the reliability of the coordinators and the director, uh the uh judgment free
environment, not feeling like you're being judged by the coordinators or the director, positivity, the good energy that you feel there as soon as you walk through the for uh the mix mixing pot of the diversity that's at the bridge line.
There's a mixing pot. There's just a bunch of different types of people there. Myself, I'm black and Korean. There's a lot of uh there's some Hispanic people that come to the bridge line. So, everybody can feel welcome there. It's not just one race of people
and the food quality. uh before I had my brain injury, >> I was a chef and then I had to the opportunity to become a coordinator at the bridge line and I took that opportunity. So I'm able to help the members gain access to learn things as
far as the kitchen aspect and they can take that on into their life as far as if they want to get a job in the kitchen. And I found out that if you are a gifted person, it doesn't mean that you gain something. It means you have
something to give back. So I'm very grateful for the bridge line. >> Congratulations. Thank you. Thank you. >> Ryan McCay, Suzanne Bowers, and Kate Lambert. Good evening, Mayor Wade and members of
the city council. I'm Ryan McCay, director of the Blige Health District. Our funding request for the health district um and the recommendations by the review team and city manager provides a starting point for long-term stable funding for three key roles that
are currently grant funded. These roles quietly protect Charlottesville every day. preventing disease outbreaks, connecting residents to care, and ensuring we use strong data to guide public health decisions. First, the disease investigation investigation specialist or DIS. When someone tests
positive for infections like HIV, this role works directly with that individual to ensure they receive treatment and to identify others who may have been exposed. They help connect those individuals to testing and care quickly, which prevents further transmission. This work is one of the
most effective ways we have to protect community health and stop the spread of disease early. Second, the community health worker or CHW focuses on meeting residents where they are, helping people navigate the health care system and connecting them with services like primary care, mental
health support, and food resources or transportation. All of which residents identified as priorities for maintaining and improving health and well-being in the 2025 community health assessment. The CHW helps turn those findings in the health assessment into action by
building trust in the community, connecting residents to services earlier, and helping prevent health challenges from becoming much more costly emergencies later. And third, the senior epidemiologist focuses on tracking communicable diseases, helping guide the public
health response when they occur. This role analyzes disease reports, identify patterns in transmission, and works closely with our clinical and disease investigation teams to deter determine appropriate control measures. These investments help ensure Charlottesville residents continue to
benefit from prevention focused public health system that protects health, connects people to care, and supports long-term well-being of our community. Thank you for our continued partnership and your thoughtful consideration of our request. >> Thank you. So um just um Brian for the
first part this is quick followup question I I I could have I would have guessed that you know the state health department kind of had a role in to um preventing you know the spread of the disease that's a local responsibility
>> there's a partnership we are the primary like a first responder we're closest to where the uh disease spread happens and so we have the most knowledge about our partners our communities When needed, we receive support from the state, but mostly it's local staff who
do the work of um volunteers. Thank you. >> Suzanne Bowers, Kate Lambert, Caleb Nelson. >> Hello. My name is Suzanne Bowers. I am the new executive director of Macka. And
um so first and foremost, I know there's like this big elephant in the room and we've been around a long time. We've made lots of changes. We've made lots of friends. We've made probably lots of enemies. So I personally would like to thank you for not giving up on us. Um
and I hope that when I'm here next year, you're going to see all the big changes that we've made at MACA. We are revamping. Um, I would like to thank you for your um recommending approval of funding for our hope house program. This
is a transitional housing and intensive case management program for families in the Charlottesville area who are experiencing or facing imminent homelessness. Um, we are at maximum capacity right now. So, we appreciate your support. Uh, I would also like to
thank you for supporting Project Discovery this year. It provides first generation students in grades 9 through 12 with free post-secary access resources to support um their their journey and their thriving future for life after high school.
In addition, I'd like to acknowledge our appreciation for recommending funding for Kindlewood Management, um, Kindlewood Care Management, but now I'm going to put a little twist in it is Macka has decided that we are not going to manage Kindlewood.
And so I am humbly requesting if it's possible that we put the $5,400 that was allocated to Kindlewood to our family and community services um program. It is
essentially the same thing. We were going to have a case manager specifically for Kindlewood given the population. This would just put a case manager in all of Charlottesville to be able to serve all of Charlottesville. um and that that did not get funded. And so
what we have to do is when people call from Charlottesville is we just have to refer them out, which is very hard to do because we hate not being able to serve them and we hate people to feel like they're just being pushed on to the next person. And just to kind of put it in
context, just since July 1 of 2025, which is the beginning of our fiscal year, we have referred 164 families who live just in Charlottesville, out to other agencies, and many times they call us back because they say people can't help them. >> Not that we're the end all by any means,
and we certainly always give resources and follow through. Um, but, um, that's why we would like to see if we could just transfer that money. Um, and I thank you for your time. I welcome you to contact me with any questions, ideas,
suggestions, anything like that. And um, uh, I have my contact information for you. >> Thank you. It's good to hear Mike is still around. Great. >> Good. Better than ever. Thank you. >> Um, Hunter, if you could um, just send us some information on what you want to
do and see if it's possible. Let me know. Thank you, sir. >> Perfect. Thank you. We have Kate. Good evening, Mayor Wade and members of the city council. Um, my name is Kate Lambert. I'm the CEO of Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Virginia. I want to start by thanking you for your past and
current support that means the world to the children and families we serve. Uh, we've been recommended to receive $60,000 in FY27 and we are respectfully requesting that our funding be restored to our current and previous funding level of $116,000.
It's a $56,000 difference. Our organization operates the Cherry Avenue Boys and Girls Club on the campus of Charlottesville Middle School. Uh the club provides year-round youth development programs every day after school and all day during the summer to young people between the ages of five
and 18. Our programs focus on academic success, health and well-being, character and leadership, and life and workforce readiness. As you know, access and affordability mean everything to families. And with your support, cost isn't a bar a barrier to participation
in our club programs. Our membership fee to families is only $35 for the whole year. As you know, Charlottesville Middle School is adding over 300 sixth grade students next year for a total of 800
students on that campus. Because of our proximity, we're in walking distance to Charlottesville Middle School. The city schools have asked if the club can serve more students next year, and we anticipate enrolling an additional 100 youth. The cost of not serving those
children will be far more costly to the city in alternative services down the road. That includes health care, mental health care, incarceration, and lost tax revenue. What we know is that it's better for children to come to the club after school than it is for them to be
at home. It's better for them to be with their friends, receive a healthy snack or meal, participate in activities like sports, academic tutoring, reading, STEM, and arts, and learn life skills like financial literacy. To continue
serving the needs of our city youth and families and at the increased level requested by our schools, the club respectfully requests the restoration of our current funding level of $116,000 for FY27. Thank you so much. Thank you,
>> Caleb Nelson, Dana Dul, Lindsay Hwood. >> Good evening, Mayor and members of city council. My name is Caleb Nelson. I'm here on behalf of Live Arts. Thank you for the care and commitment you show every day to the well-being of the community. I'm here tonight to respectfully ask for your support of
Live Arts through the Vibrant Community Fund at our requested level of $30,000. Live Arts has been proposed for 8,100 this year. While we are grateful for the support, it represents a reduction of nearly half last year and falls far short of what is needed to sustain our
education program. Live Arts is more than a theater. It is a community hub where creativity, learning, volunteerism, and connection come together in the heart of downtown. Our stage is powered by more than 1300 volunteers who build sets, design
costumes, run lights, welcome audiences, and bring stories to life. It is also a place where local artists and meaningful work where young people discover confidence, collaboration, and creative expression through camps, classes, and workshops. Our education program serves
youth ages 4 to 17. These programs are often a young person's first experience standing on a stage, speaking in front of others, or working as part of a creative team. We are also deeply committed to accessibility through TING pay what you can performances in our 434
initiative. Anyone new to live arts or anyone under the age of 25 can attend a show for just $4.34. These programs ensure that theater in Charlottville is not limited by income or background. It belongs to everyone. Supporting live arts is also a smart economic investment. National studies
show that for every dollar in public funding for theaters, nearly $3 are generated in additional local spending through tourism, jobs, and surrounding businesses. When you invest in live arts, you are investing in downtown vitality, education, and economic activity. Your support allows us to
produce five mainstage productions each year, provide space for emerging artists, and continue offering hands-on arts education to young people across the region. Without sustained public support, Charles will risk losing a vital cultural and educational resource that has served this community for decades. Thank you for your time and
allowing me to speak. >> Thank you, >> Diana Lindsay and then Courtney P. >> Hi, I'm Dina Gold with Lighthouse Studio. Um, while I'm here tonight to speak for Vine Vinegar Hill Theater
Community Programs, I would like to start by giving a shout out for all arts organizations in the city. Thank you counselors for considering additional support for Vinegar Hill as well as the arts, broadly speaking. A 2021 report
synthesized 20 years of research and evaluation on the impact of arts engagement and concluded that arts engagement can play a role in shaping and reinforcing people's cultural identity, promoting civic behaviors, enhancing communities
livability and economic vitality, and bridging relationships across races, generations, and political divides. Every five years, Americans for the Arts conducts an economic impact study of the nonprofit arts and culture industry in
the US. Charlottesville participated in this report in 2017. A key finding from these studies is that investments in the arts yield big returns. Um the combined five billion in direct arts funding by local, state, and federal governments
yielded 27.5 billion in government revenue. That is a 450% return on investment. Not only do we teach workshops at Vinegar Hill, we screen films for the community, but we also host many virtual events. We offer
discounted rates and sponsorships to other nonprofit organizations, many who otherwise would not have been able to hold their events. Last year, we gave 59,000 back to the community. We pay 16,000 in taxes. Last year's partners include the city office of human rights,
black professionals network of Charlottesville IRC, Seiville Renewable Energy Alliance, Hummingbird Fund, Welcoming Greater Charlottesville Region 10 among others. As you can imagine, there are expenses uh associated with these events. We applied the vibrant
community funds support towards these programs programs and we appreciate you considering a return to last year's awarded amount of 20,000 which enables us to continue the work. Counselors, many of you have attended our events in the past few years and I just really
want to say thank you um for your time out of your busy schedules. Thank you. >> Hear, Courtney Colt, Dorene Bonnet, >> Heer also with Lighthouse Studio. And I wanted to speak tonight about our application for our educational programs. Um, between our two
applications, both of them were recommended for funding, which we so greatly appreciate. Yet, we are recommended for 23% less than we received last year. and we ask you to consider increasing our funds more in line with what we received last year. In
2025, we applied our VCF support towards six filmmaking workshops, including partnerships with Lugo McInness Academy, CHS Urban Farming, YMCA, Abundant Life, Virginia Discovery Museum's Democracy and Dialogue Program, and creating a
documentary film with C3 about green jobs. We thank the city of Charlottesville vibrant community fund at the end of these films and many of these films screened locally at both our youth film festival and the Virginia film festival. The Lugo McInness film
was accepted to the British Columbia Teen Film Festival in FY27. We plan to partner with all of these organizations again and we appreciate you considering level funding with last year to enable us to continue these partnerships. We understand the tiered focus of the
VCF process. Um, and while Lighthouse and other arts programs are not feeding, housing, and transporting people, we do nurture our youth in a different way. Studies consistently show that arts education is closely linked with positive academic
outcomes and social and emotional development. We uh track our own students. We see this in the data as well as just in the stories. Um, Lighthouse expands access to educa arts education for all young people in
Charlottesville. We help young people become active creators rather than passive consumers of digital media. Arts education is not an extra or an add-on. It's an essential part of supporting the young people in our community and setting them up for success in the
future. Thank you for your time. Thank you. >> Pulk, Dorian Bonnet, Megan Gild. >> Right. Good evening. >> Good evening. >> Thank you so much for the opportunity to be here tonight. My name is Courtney Pulk and I'm executive director at
Building Goodness Foundation. This is the first time that Building Goodness Foundation has applied for the Vibrant Community Fund and um so I just want to say we're really grateful to be here and for your consideration for this opportunity. So, thank you so much. EGF is a construction nonprofit organization. We partner with local
nonprofits, other nonprofits here in Charlottesville area who need work on their building so that they can continue to implement their mission. We also work with local low-income homeowners to provide urgent and critically needed home repairs for their houses so that they can remain in their homes. And we
also partner with small businesses to help make sure that they have what they need, the places that they need so they can continue to operate and grow their businesses. In 2020 during the pandemic, we created a program called Seville Builds as a pilot program to help our
local community during that pandemic. That year in 2020, we completed 22 projects locally. And I'm so pleased to report that our pilot project has done really well. We've continued it every single year, and it's our flagship local program. Last year in 2025, our fifth year, we completed 92 projects in our
local community. That's up from 22 projects our first year five years ago. Of those 92 projects, 45 were home repair projects, 11 were ramp installations for additional homeowners, three were projects for small businesses, and 33 were projects for nonprofit organizations. One thing
that's interesting to note is that of all of the nonprofit organizations that are incredible that you all are reviewing for funding for the upcoming year, BGF has worked with 17 of them to make sure they have the buildings and the facilities they need so that they can actually implement their missions.
Um, a couple of notable projects from the last year include the Haven refresh, working with Loaves and Fishes to give them a new walk-in freezer, yellow door, new floors for the kids that are immuno compromised and need apartments to live in nearby. Um, and also Haven Salvation
Army. Um, we did a really awesome project with them to to fix their apartments for local families in need. So, thank you so much. Thank you for your time and for your consideration. >> Yeah, I saw the apartment work. Good. It was good work. >> Good stuff. Oh, good.
>> Doren Bonnet, Megan Hildley, Tim Basil Wood. >> Uh, thank you all for the opportunity to share a little bit more about our organization. My name is Dorene Bonnet. I am the executive director of Birth Sisters of Charlottesville. We are a community-based dual organization
supporting women of color during their birth journeys. A former teacher once posed this question to me. When your mother was carrying you, what did you marinate in? It wasn't just a question about the
condition of her physical world. It was also a question about the condition of the home in which her mother would resided while pregnant, the support she received or not from family, friends, care providers, and the community at
large. What kind of mental, emotional impact did all of this have on your mother? And what impact did it make on your development while she was carrying you and after she gave birth to you and
watch you grow? Birth sisters walks along mother alongside mothers of color in our community as they navigate their pregnancies and everything that surrounds it. We have a team of 15 community-based duelists, seven of which
are statecertified. The efforts of these incredible women, which two of them are in the audience here in our organization, are literally saving lives, making this work essential. Black women in Virginia continue to
experience higher rates of pregnancy associated deaths when compared with white counterparts in 2023. So 70 point a rate of 70.7 for black women compared to 36.2 two for white women. Just in
comparison, the maternal mortality rate for women who have been supported by birth sisters of Charlottesville from the time we incorporated in 2020 to today is zero. >> Gez,
>> so this work we do is impactful and it is necessary. As community-based doulas, we work with mothers during their most vulnerable times. We have witnessed and supported them as they navigate many challenges. We have seen housing issues,
financial issues, partner violence, mental health challenges, and nearly every social determinant of health. >> All of this while these brave mothers are doing the sacred work of throwing babies in their bellies. >> Thank you. Our our fundraising campaign
is called protect the push which stands for provide compassionate culturally rooted trauma informed doula care. U uplift the voices autonomy resilience and power of mothers of color. Sustain revolutionary change through systemic
advocacy and honor sacred beginnings, ancestral legacies and cultural birth practice. Push is our call to action. It's our mission and it is our promise. So, we're asking you to help us. The demand for
our services increases every year. We served 54 54 families in >> Oh, I'm done. >> Thank you. >> Thank you so much. >> We We got you. We understand. >> Gildy, Kim, Basilwood, Melissa step.
>> Hi. Good evening, Mayor Wade and City Council. My name is Megan Gild Day and I'm the chief development officer from the Pedmont Family YMCA. I'm here to express our gratitude for the city's investment in our work and sharing what what that support makes possible for Charlottesville families. The city has
supported our early learning child care and educating and education program for children ages 0 to five for many years and this year recommended expanding investment to our school age programs for children ages 6 to 12. A natural continuum of that of that early learning
work serving children and families as they grow. We are truly thrilled by that expansion partnership. On the early learning child side, pardon me, on the early childhood side, we are the area's largest nonprofit provider of full-time
care for children ages 0 to 5. This past year, we opened a second center at Santara Martha Jefferson, expanding access for city residents directly at this new center and by opening more spots at our Jefferson school location. As state funding for new child for for new children has been cut, your local
support is increasingly critical to maintaining quality care at low or no cost to low-income families and competitive compensation to our staff. Thank you from the Y and from the families and from the hundreds of families who benefit from this service.
Our school age work grew out of COVID when we converted the Y into a school and deepened our partnership with Charlottesville City Schools, eventually taking over the class afterchool program for ages for children ages 6 to 12. Today we serve more than 1300 children
in all city schools through afterare out of school time summer enrichment that fight summer learning loss and summer camps. We hope that number will grow next year as we work toward taking over the afterchool prek program at the former upper at the former Walker Upper
Elementary School. Of the school age children we currently serve, more than 61% receive financial assistance to participate to participate representing $1,80,000 in scholarship support we are committed to providing. Thank you for
seeing the importance of our school age programs for families. We are grateful to you for your continued investment and hopeful as we see it signals that the city shares our belief that every child and family deserves access to
safe, enriching, lowcost programs. Thank you for being our partners in that work. Thank you. >> Basil Wood Melissa step. >> Hi, my name is Kim Basil Wood and I'm affiliated with the Ben Heres for Life
Foundation founded over 10 years ago. Our foundation is very appreciative of the vibrant community fund and the support city. However, our mission is still incomplete. When Brenda and Gordon Hair founded our
organization, the purpose was to waterproof our community. It should not be a privilege to learn to swim in Charlottesville. Now, Marl County, it should be a basic human right as we are surrounded by water. If you don't know,
rates from the CDC, children aged one through four are most likely to die an accidental death by drowning. Not guns, not in automobile accidents. Children ages 5 to 10
are number two cause of death. So, we're coming today not to ask for additional funding in a check, but to ask for lane rental reduction. What we're trying to do is go to the Crow Pool and not pay almost $1,000
a week to be in the pool. What we're asking for is a a cost reduction so that we can get more and more children in the pool. The more time in the pool, the more children we serve. Last year we
gave we taught 300 children how to swim during the summer and adults and 200 of 80 of those people were on scholarship which means the funding that we're doing is is going to the community. This
spring we have we're teaching 80ome children to swim of which we're paying and because most of them are on scholarship so we're just asking for a reduction in fee because we even pay for
our own funds. Thank you. >> Thank you Steph Kate Sherico and Quinton Carell. Do I have to stand here? Can I >> Yeah, >> I have to stand here. >> No, >> I'm I'm a mobile. >> Yeah.
>> Um, okay. Thanks. Uh, guys, my name is Bryce. I have the the uh honor of being the executive director at City of Promise. I want to thank you guys for your continued investment in our work, our kids, and our communities. Look, here's what we know. We know we already have the second highest cost per blue in
the state of Virginia, around $18,500. We know we have the largest literacy pass rate gap in Virginia, about 48 points. We also know that our kids during their K12 here spend about 80% of their waking time out of school, right? So, they spend that time in environments, in communities, and with
and around people that will either be headwinds or tailwinds as they pursue their education. Right? We have to continue to deeply and sustainably invest in these areas, right? Because we understand education is a social issue. Your ability to learn to read, to engage
with information in school is a mosaic of in and out of school factors. Health care, child care, out of school time. We've heard from all these great folks has an incredible impact on your ability to engage with the information, interact with the information that you're being given inside of a school building, which is why we've worked so hard to build
this community school model with the schools, with our nonprofit partners and practitioners, with our community, built out of people who live here, out of people who grew up here, right? Built from the fabric of this community. We went to school here. I'm very proud to be one of those people who went through Charleston City Schools because we know what works. We know the model works. We
know we have the people that can make the deep connections with our kids. So, one family who we have, the mom has a mentor, our director of family engagement and advocacy. The son is involved in our tutoring program, our after school program, access our on-site food pantry at Trailblazer, and also is on our walking bus. That student's
tardies have been reduced fivefold. Absences are down uh 33%. His literacy rate is up 8% as measured by vowels. That's just in a year, right? So, we know what works. Uh, the city has asked us to have staff members in Summit. They have asked for us to have staff members in this early learning center. Those,
unfortunately, do not yet come with dollars attached to them. So, we need to fund those positions to continue to do the work that we want to do to continue to build this community-based model to grow our staff efficiently and effectively in pursuit of teaching all of our little ones to read. Thank you guys. I look forward to
>> Thank you. Kate Shertos, Clinton Herel, and Ashley Selis Matthews. >> Um, my name is Kate Jericho and I'm the current board chair from Bennett's Village and I'm here to ask you to prioritize funding for Bennett's
Village, an inclusive play space planned for Penn. As the ca as the country across the country, parks are increasingly recognized not just as places for recreation, but as critical infrastructure for community health and belonging. Parks and recreation systems
play a vital role in improving health outcomes, strengthening social connections, and ensuring equitable access to outdoor spaces for all residents. But equity requires intentional investment. Right now, Charlottesville has many parks, but none that are truly inclusive
for people of all abilities. For families with children who use wheelchairs, have sensory sensitivities, or other disabilities, the reality is that many playgrounds simply aren't useful. That's why Bennett's Village matters so much. Inspired by a child who
loved to play but couldn't access most playgrounds, this project will transform part of Penn into a multi-acre all abilities play space where children, parents, and grandparents, regardless of mobility or developmental differences, can play together.
The project's first phase, an accessible treehouse, opened recently, allowing people of all abilities to share the experience of climbing and playing together. But this treehouse is just the beginning. The project's second phase will include accessible play equipment, shaded
resting places, a freestyle track, a play tower, and cardio equipment for adults, so no one is left on the sidelines. The rest of the vision will only become a reality if the city treats this project as a priority, not just a nonprofit effort. When cities invest in
inclusive recreation spaces, they create healthier, stronger, and more connected communities. Charlottesville prides itself on equity and inclusion, but inclusion must be invisible in our public space. >> Thank you. >> Thank you.
>> Perau, Ashley, Senelli, Matthews, George and Matt. >> Evening. Good evening, everyone. >> Good evening, sir. Uh, my name is Quinton Herell and I am here on behalf of New Hill Development Corporation and the Beacon Kitchen
Initiative. Our New Hill CEO would normally be here tonight, but tonight she's facilitating Beacon Kitchen's first night of our food new food service management training program, which helps aspiring food entre entrepreneurs gain
all the skills they need to launch and sustain the businesses here in Charlottesville. I'm here to respectfully request council to reconsider the proposed funding reduction and restore support for New Hill's new new programming
to 150,000. Uh New Hill is more than a program. It's an it's an economic infrastructure for Seville food economies. Uh today, Beacon supports 25 food businesses operating out of our 10,000 square foot
shared use commercial kitchen with capacity to support up to 70 businesses as we continue to grow. We're also expanding Beacon's impact by investing to support food processing on site for entrepreneurs. We're building out a
storefront space to uh create uh new opportunities for kitchen members and establishing presence on UVA grounds. Um that'll help connect our members to large markets. All this requires planning, programming, and staff support
help uh to help entrepreneurs grow their business. And when the business grows, that success provides ROI to the city uh in the form of jobs uh increased tax revenue and a stronger, more diversified
local food economy. Beacon provides daily meals and snacks to several private schools, Boys and Girls Club, uh, and Barry Early Learning Center, helping these organizations to meet USDA compliance requirements and,
uh, providing lunches for less than $5 per lunch. Uh I know my time is running short, but we understand difficult decisions uh councils have to make, but this reduction significantly impacts programs that are already creating jobs, already
supporting entrepreneurs, and providing meals for the children across our community. We just ask that you consider a $150,000 investment uh to Beacon uh so that it is an investment in our local business
opportunity and the food economy that serves us all in this committee. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Ashley Selli Matthews, Georgia. Um I'm Ashley Selli Matthews. I'm the executive director of Central Virginia
Community Justice. Um, first just want to thank you guys for your support. Um, we've had city council support since we first got started a few years ago. We're really grateful. Um, we provide restorative justice services. Um, as you may know, research shows that restorative justice reduces trauma
symptoms and reduces recidivism um more effectively than criminal prosecution um while also costing less than a prosecution, a trial, incarceration and re-entry. So, diverting into restorative justice makes all those costs disappear. Um, the first
thing I wanted to check about was a mixup. I'm looking looking at Hunter. Has this already been addressed or should I bring it up now? >> It has been addressed. I forgot to get back to you. >> Okay. So, it's all good. >> It was really just the flipping of the numbers. >> Okay, I will not address that since it sounds like it's already been
>> all good. Thank you. Um, but uh what I really wanted to just share was a little bit about restorative justice. I know everyone's not um as familiar with it. Um I got a call just this week from somebody who said um somebody who was working at our home stole a significant amount of money from us. We've called
the police. we know we have this option to uh potentially press charges and move forward with the prosecution, but somebody I'm really close to and respect a lot told me about you guys and highly recommended your services. Um, and I really don't need this person to go to
jail. They're a parent to a young child. They have their own struggles in life. I want something to happen. You know, this needs to be addressed. Um, but we would much rather work it out with them if we can. Um, and so if if something like
that can go forward, we uh do not need all of the the criminal system, the court hearings, all of the costs associated with that, we can help these folks work it out in a way that's meaningful and um meets their needs without having to go through the criminal system. And so um we would love
to be able to keep doing that with your support. Um you know, with the flip-flop um we're very grateful that that has been addressed. um that still is a reduction in um funding from what we received in fiscal year 26 and we would love to request you to um continue at
our fiscal year 26 level. Um we are about as lean as we can get. Most of our staff work by the hour. Uh we do not throw fancy gallas. We don't even have an office space yet. Um and so uh if funding gets reduced, the only thing
left to cut is to take fewer cases. um we do not want to start turning away Charlottesville citizens um from our work. So we would request any support that you can offer and thank you all so much for your support. >> Thank you >> George and Matt Gordon Marissa
Williamson. >> How's everybody doing? My name is George. Want to thank you all for, you know, supporting us and supporting our growth. Um, I'm just going to get straight to the point. I do my work from the heart, so I'm going to speak for the heart. Um, I want to appreciate y'all
for everything that y'all have given us, but when I looked at the the paper and I saw 2027, um, I think we're getting reduced by 23%. Um, I work with a lot of misunderstood kids. I don't call them trouble youth, I call them
misunderstood. We wrap around service. Um, I'll be by I was doing it by myself, helping them with their homework. Um, going to their schools. I had a um Matt who just left. He helps volunteer. We go to their schools. We pick them up. Um,
if you ever come to our gym, we're a diverse gym. I'm big on um building self-confidence. We feed the kids. Um, and we growing at a rate where we need a new building like bad because we're growing that fast. and for for funding
to get cut. I'm doing this by myself already. And I'm gonna be honest with you, you know, I got a new board now that's amazing, but we don't have no grant writers that know which word to put on the grant to give us the funding that we need because again, we do it
from the heart. I've been service probably over 2,000 kids in Charlottesville since 2020 that we that we um got established in Charlottesville. Couple of them were looking to commit suicide. Some of them
that wanted to commit suicide, didn't want to go to school no more. Grades, graduated, looking to their own business. Had some of them, some of these kids don't even want to go home because we're a safe haven. Um, our work is different from everybody else. And I
see like other cities, you know, like Baltimore, Nora, they really invest in their programs like the boxing programs to help keep these kids off the street. And since they've done that, the gun violence and overall violence has gone
down, but we're different. Like I said, we we work a lot besides just um you know, hitting the bag and stuff like that. So, I would love for y'all to reconsider um our funds for next year and you know hopefully read lead us in the right direction so we know exactly
what words to put for the um grants that we need. >> Thank you sir. Appreciate y. All right, Bellamy Brown and Derek Rush and those our final speakers >> that was pretty moving u my name is Gordon Hair. I'm the founder of the
Benhair Swim for Life program. Uh this was uh in memory of my son who was a city employee. It was a lifeguard at me and worked as a pharmacy technician down on the mall. Uh really felt for the
kids uh that attended swim lessons and and recreation at me. Um, I've been here before. Uh, maybe 10 years ago, I was here trying to kick off
the the Brooks YMCA. Uh, I was a major investor in that endeavor. And uh thanks to Brooks, I partnered with them and to together we put a half a million to
continue to support a learn to swim uh program for all of the uh the city, county, Louisa, and Green County. The schools are shipping the the kids to the Y. However,
that is only five 40minute lessons. So, it really doesn't um teach the children. It just makes them fall in love with the water, but it doesn't make them water safe. So, I would like to continue that u that
program at Crow Pool. And there's many times that Crow Poolool is just not being used at all. Um, and I wouldn't get in the way of any anyone that wanted to pay money for it, but to have a pool of that size closed doesn't make any
sense to me. And I can provide all the staff uh to support that place. We have Fry Springs Beach Club in in the summer and that's about 90% uh nonwhite.
uh you can come down there and have eight languages going on in the pool at the same time. Um but that that doesn't cover a measurable amount of kids. That's three or 400 uh of kids that we
serve there uh for mostly free, but um the program with the Y supports it. And if I could advertise all of the the places in town that give swim lessons and then also use Crow Pool with some
sort of a a handshake. That would be fun. Thank you. >> Thank you. Thank you for the work. >> Brown. >> Um, good evening and uh thank you for uh the opportunity to speak. My name is Bellamy Brown. I'm from uh Charlottesville, Virginia. I'm here on
behalf of Bennett's Village, a community-led effort to build Charlottesville's first fully inclusive uh playground. A place where children uh of all abilities can play together, learn together, and belong together. For many families in our community,
playgrounds um that most children enjoy simply aren't accessible. And this village aims to change that by creating a space designed um from the ground up with inclusion in mind where children with mobility mobility challenges, sensory sensitivities, and other
disabilities can play alongside their peers. It's not just a playground. It's a statement about who belongs in our community. That's why local government support matters so much. When the city invests uh when the city invests through this through the Charlottesville vibrant
communities fund, it does more than provide financial support. It sends a powerful message, a powerful signal to foundations, corporations, and philanthropic partners uh that this project is a priority for Charlottesville. Across the nonprofit world, we see this
again and again. Public investment unlocks private investment. When local government demonstrates confidence in a project, other donors step forward because they know they are joining a true public private partnership. Vibrant Communities Fund was created to support
projects that strengthen connection, accessibility, and opportunities across Charlottesville. Bennett's Village embodies those uh goals perfectly. It brings families together. It ensures children uh with disabilities are not left on the sidelines. and it creates a gathering space that serves the entire
community. By supporting Bennis Village through the Vibrant Communities Fund, the city is not just helping build a playground. It's helping to have additional philanthropic support and showing that Charlesville believes in in building a community where every child has a place to play. Thank you for your
time and your commitment to a more inclusive SH. >> Derek Rush is our final speaker. >> Uh good evening to the mayor, excuse me, and the uh members of the council. My name is Derek Rush. I am the co-founder of the Yehuru Foundation, a local nonprofit uh here in the Charlottesville
area. I want to first thank you guys for uh the recommendation of 54,000 uh through the vibrate community fund. Uh we truly appreciate uh the city and recognizing the importance of the work that we're doing um as well as investing in the individuals who are returning home to our community from incarceration. Uh my in my role I work
directly with the men of our transitional house program. Uh so I get to see firsthand uh what people face when they come home from incarceration. Uh many return determined to rebuild their lives, but they quickly encounter a lot of barriers or the same barriers that a lot of individuals are facing. uh
those being uh limited housing options, limited support systems, uh uh uh difficulty finding employment uh and without that stability uh during that transition, it becomes very easy for someone to fall uh into homelessness and and back into the justice system in general. So, what makes our work unique
is that we provide more than housing. Our program provides mentorship, structure, uh workforce connections, uh accountability that helps individuals stay focused on rebuilding their lives. Um, and when people have that stability, we see real outcomes. People obtain jobs, long-term employment, career
paths, reconnect with their families, and also remain stable in the community and become uh law-abiding citizens and and taxpaying citizens in the community as well. Um, so the challenge that we face is demand um that our services continue to grow as we scale. Uh we're operating at two houses right now in the
community. Uh one on 6 and a half street, another one on 12th Street. Uh we're looking to expand two more houses by the end of 2026 if possible. Um, so I know that we we asked uh we made an ask for 200 grand. Um, so the difference between that recommended 54,000 and 200 grand that we requested represents a
difference and basically being able to maintain what we currently do and also meet the the growing needs that we have for our community. Uh so we're grateful for the support that's been recommended. Uh we respectfully ask uh that the council consider strengthening that investment uh because uh when we help people stabilize during the most
vulnerable transition of their lives uh we're not only helping individuals but we're strengthening the safety and stability of our community. Uh if possible I'd like to yield the rest of my time. We actually have a gentleman uh that's one of our uh attendants in our house and and just and give him a second to speak as well if that's okay. Well, it's
you have no more time in >> but that's fine because I think you're the last speaker and so if you want to be next sir you have your whole two minutes. >> So my name is Kevin Parks. Um I also work for CBVI. Um I wouldn't have been
able to have this opportunity if it wasn't for the Uhuru program. Um so you know I had a lot of struggles with addiction um incarceration. uh coming home it was extremely difficult to get any footing. Um
Uhuru Foundation uh they were able to you know all lot me opportunities to get a job um get on well not just a job career to get on my feet. Um it was it was something I didn't expect from the community I wasn't born and raised in. I'm from Northern Virginia so you know
it's it's extremely busy up there. Communities aren't as tightknit. Um, so being here and being in the community, people that have resources, um, willing to help, um, is something I definitely appreciate. If it wasn't for the foundation, um, I wouldn't have a
foundation. So being a part of the Yuhuru program is something I I appreciate you guys. Appreciate everything we do. And, you know, also with CBBI, um, I feel like, you know, the community needs programs like this.
You know, it's it is it is an issue with some minorities not having a support system. You know, I grew up in a household that was completely different to what I see on the day. I had had my father and a lot of these kids don't have father figures, don't have support
systems and, you know, something I want to be able to share jewels with these young kids and be able to get them, you know, off the streets and in the programs and need funding to do that. >> Thank you and congratulations. You look great. >> Hold on. It was supposed to be me and
Matt, so can I do Matt two minutes? I got more to say. >> No. Um, it's been a long night. So, we, you know, sometimes we double it up, but we we don't we don't have to. >> Would anyone else like to speak other than >> Anyone else like to speak?
>> I really like to speak. I just asked my Did I have to go there? >> Yes, please. >> No. I did not want to come up here and I know my child is probably like why is this woman speaking but my name is Beatatric Bradford I work for the city I actually work for
>> that man over in the corner right there um Jania Bradford from Mahogany and Friends is my daughter and I want to say that everybody should be so proud and everybody should give their self a round of applause because if that's the problem that we have today in
Charlottesville is trying to get so many of these nonprofits to try to get money. That's wonderful. That is a blessing. That is a big blessing. And I think it's I think it's just great. Um and I also I I don't know. I I not Yeah,
Mojave and Friends. I believe you start with the children and Mojave and Friends are not just for children. they're actually helping adults and they um I wish it was around when I got my large sum of money when my children's father died because I did not know exactly what to do with it. So, I mismanaged a lot of
things. So, education is key. So, but but I think with a lot of these problems that I'm hearing, it's like a lot with children and it start with children. You got to start from the children. I'm not saying forget about the kids and the haven and all that, but I think to put more into the children or my suggestion
to you guys, I'm always thinking that I know something, but sometimes you do, right? I might give you guys an idea. Um, is to um put some of these programs together because a lot of them doing the same thing. Somebody strategize and try to get which ones could get together and
do the same thing and then that kind of cuts a little bit of the money and I'm gone. That's what I was say. That's what I was gonna say. >> Yeah, >> that's exactly what I was >> I can tell you. >> Don't forget about my parking spot. So,
>> throw that in there. That was >> Yeah. So, I can tell you the idea of combining some I we started to do that 20 something years ago and once you start dipping in these nonprofits um silos and missions, it's it's not pretty. But I'm not saying it can't be
done, but they you're not the first to them. Maybe they might want to do it theirelves. >> Um okay. Anyone else like to speak? We got the issue of the parking space. Anyone else like to speak?
>> Thank you so much. We appreciate it. It's um we we got through it fairly quick. It's a little bit after 8. Do we want to discuss this um tonight? >> Okay. >> Not because it's not important, but I think that we have some spreadsheets to review. We have some reports to read.
It's always great hearing from the people. you know, we get the the the work that the reviewers do and that Hunter provides us is great. Um, but this is always helpful. So, we can take some time to digest, make notes in our spreadsheets and um
circulate those. >> Michael, you may >> at this point we could before you start. >> Yeah. >> This is John's first time going through this process as our city attorney who is here to keep us all out of trouble. Uh, and just because we've been doing it a
certain way, I'm always conscious of the idea that when we have to reflect on things, we figure some things out. So, I want to make sure that he has nothing to advise us of as we start to go through this process because strengthening it is what I'm always after.
>> Thanks for putting me on the spot, Sam. >> No, the we have a lot of authority to make grants under Virginia law. It's actually uh very different in Virginia than where I came from. I'm still getting used to those sorts of things, but um we do have to make sure that we're being open and transparent and that decisions are getting full
sunlight. Um so we have to be as we are considering these things, make sure that it's not groups of three all getting together and deciding on funding, but ultimately it will be um if you if the council has to decide as a group which groups get additional funding. So it's important as you're being approached by members of the community, you're having
conversations with these lovely folks who have shown up that um we're not promising things because only the only the council can act for the council. Um, that's about all I've got just on the spot, but I'm sure as as M. Ford might have at the conclusion, maybe I can do a posttop and we can uh
>> that will happen. I promise you. >> But I just wanted to make sure he had a chance to advise you uh in this this activity. >> So, we we have received a lot of emails what you heard tonight and many many many more um and um which is great. Um
you know, we I love this engaged community. So I think that what I heard um I'm sorry Mike you agree some >> just do people have a sense even ballpark >> the total amount they're looking to change at this point not the specific
agencies but >> do you mean from the >> from your fund >> from our fund is that what yeah >> right that is your single source >> I will always remind you of that >> yeah I think I I mean I I don't want to
just make up a number for that. Um you know there's some questions I have for staff about other places funding could come from or other help that like grant writing assistance. Where do those people go for that? And so I think there's going to be some marinating in some emails before we come up before I
come up with a number. >> Yeah. Um yeah, I I think that um you know that I have heard that you know we are talking maybe in hundred,000 of the
strategic funds in that neighborhood. But um I heard a lot of I took a lot of notes from tonight that I you know that that didn't really resonate with me from reading the applications but the the comments from board members and things
like that did. So, um, yes, I may have some some additional thoughts. >> Michael, did you have a number you were working with or? >> Not particularly. I mean, I think about years past. I mean, there I don't
have specific agency recommendations in mind, but if we're going to make changes, I was thinking kind of in a ballpark of like $100,000 or so. um just because we know there going to be requests throughout the year um especially if our year in surplus is
kind of soft earmarked for a lot of other things. >> Yeah. and I had started with 150,000 based on last year's 96 um and just the ecosystem the nonprofit
ecosystem at the moment and what after interviewing a lot of people what it seemed like but um that was the starting point so yeah I'll be discussing >> um so um we have a council meeting on
Monday and although it's not an official public hearing but people can provide provide comments at that meeting on the budget if they like, but but also can continue to to email council. Um and that's something that, you know, we all
read and we factor in as we make decisions. And um so yeah, >> and depending on the turnout next week, we'll have an opportunity to do some additional work as well. So every Thursday of this month um
>> we're back here >> six to you know six o'clock and um you know so um it's a lot of meetings a lot of issues that we have to try to address this budget. We may even have to have an additional meeting. We we'll have to see but um we'll definitely give the public
notice of that. So um any other questions or comment? >> I think Miss Bradford said it nicely. It is nice to see that there is this much community involvement, positivity, conscientiousness, and effort going into
making our city better, stronger, and um and more together. So, thank you all so much for everything you do. >> May I get a a motion to adjurnn? >> So, moved. >> Second. >> All in favor, please say yes. >> Yes.
>> All post, please say no. Thank you. on drag.