Council approves grants, stadium investment and utility contract; other measures pass or are tabled

Lynchburg City Council on May 13 approved a series of ordinances, resolutions and contract actions including the city’s FY2026 Community Development Block Grant and HOME funding recommendations, a nonexclusive franchise for a culvert at Rosedale, and a new franchise and associated funding approach for the Lynchburg Hillcats. The council also approved a five-year water and sewer contract with CertainTeed LLC and introduced a $5,250,000 capital appropriation for stadium improvements tied to the Hillcats franchise agreement.

The actions were taken largely on voice or roll-call votes during the public meeting. Key funding and contract votes included a 7–0 passage of the resolution to adopt the Community Development Advisory Committee recommendations for FY2026 CDBG and HOME entitlement funds; a 7–0 vote granting a nonexclusive culvert franchise to Rosedale Investments LLC/Rosedale Owners Association; a 7–0 ordinance amendment narrowing the city’s local amusement-tax exemption to only youth athletic events at municipal facilities; and a 7–0 approval of a new 15‑year franchise with Hillcats Baseball LLC that the city says will support a $5,250,000 upfront investment in Bank of the James Stadium.

Council approved a five‑year water and sewer contract with CertainTeed LLC, retroactive to January 2025, by a 6–1 vote. Under the contract, CertainTeed will pay fixed rates that the city described as being based on a cost‑of‑service study: a water rate of $1.79 per HCF, a sewer rate of $2.64 per HCF, and specified charges for excess biochemical oxygen demand and suspended solids (listed in the contract materials). Council members asked about the financial contingency if the large industrial customer left the city; staff said the contract contains termination notice requirements but that an abrupt closure would require rate adjustments to other customers (staff estimated a roughly 10% increase to average residential rates in a hypothetical loss scenario).

The council introduced a FY2025 capital projects budget amendment to appropriate $5,250,000 for a “fan experience” project at Bank of the James Stadium tied to the Hillcats franchise; the vote on the ordinance passed 5–1. City staff said design work is underway and that the city-owned stadium will be improved using revenues derived from rent, naming rights, parking fees, sales/meals/amusement taxes and other sources identified in the franchise financial model.

Other adopted measures included a third‑quarter FY2025 adjustments ordinance (vote recorded as 6–1 in the meeting record), and a capital appropriation to expand parking at the Ed Page entrance to the Blackwater Creek Trail that leverages a donor match (resolution adopted). Council also moved to table proposed amendments to the Rules of Procedure (public comment/decorum items) until the organizational rules discussion at the next meeting.

Several agenda items were the subject of public hearings or extended public comment: the Community Development Advisory Committee recommendations were presented by staff and supported by CDAC members and two council appointees to the committee; a public hearing on the Hillcats franchise drew both supporters and speakers who asked for more detail about the proposed $5.25 million stadium project and its payback assumptions; and the public comment period included multiple speakers raising concerns about library capital plans, the pool, school capital needs and the safety of LGBTQ+ residents. Council scheduled further public engagement and deferred the school‑board appointment process to May 27 to allow additional applicants and public input.

Votes at a glance (agenda item number — short description — outcome, vote tally): - Item 6/Consent Agenda — Routine consent items — Approved, 7–0. - Item (Public Hearing) — FY2026 CDBG & HOME project recommendations (CDAC) — Approved (resolution), 7–0. - Item 8 — Ordinance granting a nonexclusive limited franchise for culvert maintenance to Rosedale Investments LLC / Rosedale Owners Association (1600 Grays Mill Road) — Adopted, 7–0. - Item 9 — Ordinance amending City Code §36‑270 (amusement-tax exemption) to exempt only youth athletic events at municipal facilities — Adopted, 7–0. - Item 10 — Ordinance granting Hillcats Baseball LLC an exclusive 15‑year franchise to use Bank of the James Stadium for games/events — Adopted, 7–0. - Item 11 — Ordinance authorizing a five‑year water and sewer contract with CertainTeed LLC (retroactive to Jan 2025) establishing fixed per‑HCF and effluent charges — Adopted, 6–1. - Item 12 — Introduction/adoption of FY2025 third‑quarter budget adjustments — Adopted (recorded as 6–1 in the minutes). - Item 22 — Resolution amending FY2025 capital projects fund and appropriating $125,000 (matched) to improve parking at Ed Page entrance, Blackwater Creek Trail — Adopted (vote recorded as passed). - Item 23 — Introduce/approve ordinance amending FY2025 capital projects fund and appropriating $5,250,000 for fan‑experience improvements at Bank of the James Stadium (linked to Hillcats franchise) — Introduced/approved, 5–1. - Item 24 — Resolution to amend Rules of Procedure (public comment/decorum items) — Motion to table until organizational meeting adopted.

What the council record shows and what remained unresolved: staff presented financial projections and contract terms for the Hillcats franchise and the CertainTeed contract; council asked for follow‑up materials on the stadium design scope, revenue projections and contingencies if a large industrial customer departs. Council also extended the school‑board appointment process to allow further applicant interviews and additional public input.

Ending: The council concluded the meeting noting the next regular meeting is scheduled for May 27; several consent and capital items will return for finalization as staff provides the requested details.