Several speakers at the Aug. 26 Charlottesville City Council meeting raised concerns that four members of the Parks & Recreation Advisory Board have formed a private nonprofit called the Seaville Parks Foundation and have not publicly disclosed that affiliation in advisory‑board minutes.

Carla Manno, a Parks & Rec advisory board member, told council she only learned of the foundation from a social media post and said the lack of disclosure “immediately looks like a conflict of interest.” She said three sitting board members serve on the foundation’s board of directors and that the advisory board did not receive notice or minutes reflecting those activities. Jacqui Timken, a business owner and Parks & Rec board member, said the foundation’s work appears focused on park spaces while unmet program needs (for example, leagues and services for girls and low‑income youth) remain underfunded.

City Manager Sanders told the council he had not negotiated with anyone about establishing a foundation and that, upon hearing concerns, he directed staff to arrange a special meeting so the advisory board could surface details. Sanders said he had also asked the City Attorney’s Office to review whether a conflict of interest exists and, if so, to what degree it could be mitigated. “Upon hearing that there was some concern, what I did was direct staff to ensure that the special meeting would happen,” Sanders said.

Speakers requested that the council require clearer disclosure of outside affiliations by advisory‑board members, make memoranda of understanding public and ensure that any private foundation’s work and funding priorities do not undermine equitable program delivery or substitute for needed city program staffing. Several speakers asked for a public accounting of whether the foundation’s memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the city had been drafted or negotiated and, if it exists, to make it accessible.

Councilors did not take legislative action; they thanked speakers and noted the manager had initiated internal steps. The City Attorney’s Office and staff were asked to report back with the findings of the special meeting and a legal review so the council and the public could assess whether conflicts or procedural lapses require remedial action.