Votes at a glance: committee forwards telecom lease, Main Street application and Patterson Avenue grant application

The Land Use, Housing and Transportation Standing Committee forwarded three items and multiple appointment recommendations to the full City Council with a recommendation to approve.

New Singular Wireless lease (ordinance 2025-165) The committee voted to forward an ordinance that would authorize the chief administrative officer to execute a lease with New Singular Wireless PCS LLC to continue operation of telecommunications equipment at 3518 North Hopkins Road. Shania Wilson of the Department of Emergency Communications, Preparedness and Response said the lease term is five years, with initial rent of $47,000 and an annual rent increase of 3 percent; the draft also allows five additional renewal terms. During questions a council member asked whether the 103% phrasing in the staff memo meant 3%; staff clarified the intended increase is 3% annually (approximately $1,410 on a $47,000 base). The committee voted to forward the ordinance with a recommendation to approve; recorded “Aye” votes included Mister Burton, Vice Chair Robertson and Chair Jones.

Virginia Main Street program application (resolution 2025-R30) The committee forwarded a resolution supporting an application to the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development’s Main Street program to participate as an Exploring Main Street community. Acting Director Matt Welch said the initial step requires a $375 annual fee and technical assistance through a multi-year process; the current target for designation work is the Broad Street corridor with tentative boundaries from East 18th Street to Belvidere Street. The committee voted to forward the resolution with recommendation to approve.

Patterson Avenue Transportation Alternatives grant (resolution 2025-R32) The committee forwarded a resolution supporting an application to the Virginia Department of Transportation’s Transportation Alternatives Program to fund pedestrian safety improvements on Patterson Avenue between Maple Avenue and Libby Avenue. City engineer Emkharat described the $1,440,000 project that would include ADA curb ramps, sidewalk reconstruction, bike racks, narrowed shopping-center entrances to reduce vehicle/pedestrian conflicts, and streetscape amenities. Federal funds requested total $1,000,000 (about 80%); the city would be required to commit a 20% local match of $250,000 and staff indicated an additional $187,000 in local funds could make the application more competitive. The committee voted to forward the resolution with a recommendation to approve.

Appointments and committee vacancies The committee moved to forward reappointments and appointment recommendations to city council. The motion to accept applications and forward recommendations included William Andrews (reappointment to the Board of Fire Appeals), James Hudler (Community Transportation Advisory Committee vacancy) and Bridal Sims (name as recorded in packet). The committee voted to forward the appointment recommendations to council with a recommendation to approve.

Ending: Each item above was forwarded to the full council with recommendations to approve and will appear on council agendas for final action.