Work Session Slated for Courts, Redistricting

The Fredericksburg City Council is a bit busier than normal tghis month, with a special work session slated for Tuesday evening to discuss two topics; the remaining proposals for a downtown court facility as well as redistricting.

The agenda includes a closed session to discuss the court facility. Closed sessions have been a contentious part of these proceedings. Elected officials say that the closed sessions are necessary to protect the city's bargaining position as it moves towards selecting a preferred design/build team to award a contract to develop a new court facility. notably Ward 3 Councilor Fred Howe and Ward 1 Councilor Brad Ellis, however their complaints about the process have been muted of late. This left Fredericksburg Free Lance-Star reporter Robyn Sidersky to object to the closed session last week,

Once the council reconvenes in open session, they plan to take up the topic of municipal redistricting.

In a meeting on Aug. 24 the Fredericksburg City Council for one of

Following a presentation from members of the Fredericksburg Planning and Community Development Office, Ward 2 Councilor George Solley moved to table the motion so that all three options could be discussed at a planned public hearing on redistricting on Sept. 13.

That night, one person from the public, Scott Vesina, the Vice President of the Hills at Snowden Community Association, addressed the council, asking for them to not choose redistricting option one, which would split their subdivision down the middle.

Members of the City Council have been less than impressed by the public input they have received over the redistricting options, with Ward 4 Councilor Bea Paolucci reporting that she had to pester some community groups for their opinions.

The work session begins on Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall.