City Council approves supplemental appropriation, grants parking variance and backs micro‑transit demo; adopts special‑events procedures and passes two ordinanc

City Council took a series of formal actions on March 11, 2025. All roll-call motions below passed unanimously (Farnam, Holmes, Osborne, Pollard, Nave) unless otherwise noted.

Votes at a glance

- Supplemental appropriation: Council approved a $438,813 general‑fund supplemental appropriation to cover a set of items reported by staff, including $320,000 of beginning-balance funds to cover outside legal fees tied to the landfill, police proceeds and recovered costs for overtime, insurance proceeds for repairs, and multiple fire-department grant appropriations (hazmat, heavy tactical rescue, specialty docket and drug-court sustainability). Motion carried by roll call (5–0). Staff recommended approval.

- Off‑street parking variance (Moore Street): Council granted a variance from City Code section 50‑5‑82 at the request of the Bristol Redevelopment & Housing Authority. BRHA plans to build eight duplexes (16 residential units) on Moore Street and sought permission to provide 16 off‑street parking spaces (one per unit) instead of the zoning-required two spaces per unit (32 spaces). Staff recommended the variance; Public Works said it had no objection and noted possible future on-street parking removal on Moore Street. Motion carried by roll call (5–0).

- Letter of recommendation for DRPT micro‑transit demonstration: Council approved a letter supporting an application to the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation for a demonstration micro‑transit pilot focused on the East Bristol area. Staff described a proposed micro‑transit zone to increase responsiveness where fixed-route ridership is light; the city applied for up to $203,000 in demonstration funding (DRPT funds would cover up to 80% of project costs). Motion carried by roll call (5–0).

- Special‑events application and rules: Council approved a new special‑events application, a street‑closure application flow and an updated Cumberland Square Park rental form and rules. Staff said the new forms and written procedures will standardize requests, improve coordination among public works, police and fire, and provide clearer applicant guidance for street closures, beverage gardens and park rentals. Motion carried by roll call (5–0).

- Ordinances (first readings): Council approved first readings, by caption, of two ordinance updates: (1) an ordinance to prohibit certain vehicles and devices on specified sidewalks (affecting sidewalks on State Street, Lee Street and Moore Street) to allow enforcement of unsafe cycling and scooter use on narrow downtown sidewalks; and (2) an update to City Code section 50‑1‑36 to ease residential agricultural rules (backyard poultry), including lowering the permit fee from $100 to $50 and adjusting setbacks that had produced recent code violations. Both ordinances passed first reading (roll call 5–0) and will return for final consideration.

Procedural notes and next steps: Each item approved by motion carried on unanimous roll-call votes recorded in the meeting minutes. For budget and grant items, staff will return to council with any required appropriation ordinances or with incorporation into the fiscal‑year budget process. For the micro‑transit pilot, staff will move forward with the DRPT application and follow the state's demonstration grant requirements if awarded.

Ending: Council approved the consent agenda and adjourned. Several agenda items remain for follow-up in the coming weeks as the city finalizes budgets and grant submissions.