Ketchmore Kids reports declines in youth homicides; former councilwoman urges traffic fixes and outreach on senior tax relief

Several residents and community representatives used the citizen-comments period to update the council on local programs, raise concerns about traffic and senior tax burdens, and request further outreach from the city.

Chanel Ketchmore, representing Ketchmore Kids, told the council the group's conflict-resolution and de-escalation work is continuing in schools and the juvenile detention center. Ketchmore said staff take partners — mental-health professionals, financial-litility and school partners — into the detention center “a minimum 4 times a month” and that the program has produced positive feedback from teachers and caregivers. “This year already, we've gotten feedback from school teachers who are saying, hey, my student is in your services. Their behavior is better in school,” Ketchmore said.

Former Councilwoman Sharon P. Scott thanked the council for a recognition earlier in the meeting and raised two substantive items. First, she asked the council to press the Virginia Department of Transportation for traffic improvements at the Monticello/Merrimac (as spoken in the record) interchange and suggested exploring ramp-metering (a timed light on an off-ramp) to reduce backups. Second, she said seniors have contacted her about rising real-estate tax burdens and asked the city to publicize available assistance.

Councilman Macomb and city staff responded directly to Scott's concern about senior tax relief. Councilman Macomb said the city has two programs: an elderly tax exemption and a tax deferral, and that the proposed budget would expand eligibility for the exemption. Lisa Cipriano, the director of budget evaluation, said the application window for the tax deferral and exemption programs closes in August each year. “The closing of the application for the deferrals and tax exempt, is August of every year,” Cipriano said.

Other public comments included an update from Juan Banner, who described a workplace dispute and said he would like to see changes in how the law treats workplace harassment; he asked that materials be provided to the mayor. The council accepted materials and said staff would ensure the mayor receives them.

What this means: Community organizations reported continued frontline work on youth violence prevention and requested city support for related events. Council members directed staff to share information about senior tax-exemption and deferral options and discussed expanding program eligibility in the manager's proposed budget.

No formal votes were taken during citizen comments; the council used the time for updates and to request staff follow-up.