Lynchburg City Council Meeting – September 8, 2026

The Lynchburg City Council convened for a joint meeting with the Lynchburg City School Board at 4:00 PM, followed by the regular business meeting at 7:00 PM in the Council Chamber. The regular session included three public hearings, 17 scheduled public comment periods, and seven general business items. Notable actions included the approval of two rezoning requests, the adoption of a bridge naming resolution, introduction of multiple grant-funded appropriations, and extensive debate and subsequent failure of two resolutions aimed at expediting the termination of the city's Flock camera system.

Public Hearings

• Item IV.1 (5612 & 5616 Edgewood Ave): A continuance was granted due to petitioner illness, rescheduling the rezoning matter to October 13, 2026. The motion carried 5-0 (Councilmember Faraldi and Timmer absent).
• Item IV.2 (802 Court Street): Council adopted Ordinance #O-26-078, rezoning the property to allow conversion of a historic structure into four residential condominium units. Councilmember Reed and Vice Mayor Diemer expressed support, noting the project's appropriateness and lack of conflict with city requirements. The vote was 6-0.
• Item IV.3 (533 Leesville Road): Council adopted Ordinance #O-26-079, rezoning the property from B-1 to B-3 to permit professional office space with front parking. The Planning Commission had recommended denial due to concerns about front parking. Councilmembers who voted in favor argued the project was an extension of an existing medical practice and consistent with the area. The vote was 6-0.

Public Comments & Testimony

Eighteen citizens and group representatives were scheduled to speak. The following is a summary of their positions:

• Fable Forest (Citizen): Strongly criticized Council conduct, particularly the infighting, stating it wasted time and prevented effective governance.
• Dr. Anthony Hout (Citizen): Expressed concerns regarding Child Protective Services, including due process and potential retaliation. He requested stronger independent oversight mechanisms.
• Alan Spaulding (Citizen): Condemned Mayor Taylor's "king" remarks and the indefinite tabling of the City Manager's performance review, arguing it represented undemocratic governance.
• Laura Berardi (Citizen): Criticized the lack of a definite date for Flock removal and the "king" remark, and expressed concern about limited public participation at special meetings.
• Consuela Mosley (Citizen): Alleged abuse of authority by a Special Conservator of the Peace (SCOPE) and Code Enforcement, claiming incomplete FOIA responses and malicious prosecution.
• Andrea Yesalis (Republicans for Liberty): Raised serious concerns about the City Manager's handling of the Greater Lynchburg Transit Company (GLTC) reserve funds, alleging improper transfer of over $1.3 million without authorization. She requested a full forensic audit.
• Deborah Trefzger (Citizen): Expressed strong praise for City Council, the Lynchburg Police Department, and various city services.
• Chris Quigg (Citizen): Criticized Councilmember Reed for calling citizens a "mafia," for what he described as a power grab for the mayorship, and for limiting free speech.
• Karen Quigg (Citizen): Characterized the current council leadership as one of the worst seasons in Lynchburg history due to a lack of accountability, transparency, and the stifling of dissent.
• Alan Davis (Citizen): Requested financial reimbursement from the city for personal property he stated was removed from his right-of-way by Code Enforcement without due process.
• Angela Cash (Citizen): Demanded an apology from Councilmember Reed for calling engaged citizens "mafia," stating it violated their First Amendment rights to participate in government.
• Anton Tevelev (Citizen): Expressed strong opposition to the Flock camera system, describing it as "mass surveillance" and urging council to permanently revoke the license.
• James Watkins (Understanding Others): Stated that based on SOL performance data, the community is systematically failing Black students in Lynchburg City Schools, particularly in math. He urged specific, targeted solutions.
• Carl Hutcherson (Running with Purpose): Expressed support for the Lynchburg Police Department, arguing that the city must provide officers with effective tools like Flock to ensure public safety.

Discussion Items

• Item VI.22 (Earl Lee Brooks Sr. Memorial Bridge): Council unanimously adopted Resolution #R-26-080 naming the Odd Fellows Road bridge in honor of the late stock car racer and community figure. Councilmembers shared condolences with the Brooks family and highlighted his legacy.
• Item VI.23 (Human Services Bonuses): Council adopted Ordinance #O-26-081 authorizing a one-time 2% bonus for eligible full-time Social Services employees, funded by the state with the local match covered by the department's existing budget.
• Items VI.24-27 (Grant Introductions): Council introduced resolutions appropriating grant funds for a senior center garden ($15,000), pottery workshops ($15,000), fire department stair chairs ($53,367), and computer replacements for the Sheriff, Commonwealth's Attorney, and Police Department ($35,202). All introductions passed unanimously.
• Item VI.28 (Councilmember Misjuns' Flock Resolutions): A major debate ensued. Councilmember Misjuns moved to adopt a resolution (Revised Option #2) directing immediate termination of the Flock license agreement. Vice Mayor Diemer introduced a substitute resolution with a similar goal. City Attorney Freedman cautioned the substitute was not on the published agenda. Police Chief Ken Edwards stated the department would comply, provided data on crime clearance rates (66% violent, 32% property compared to national averages of 37% and 12%), and requested openness to other technologies with privacy safeguards. Councilmember Faraldi asked for the identity of the private attorney who provided Misjuns a legal opinion; Misjuns declined, citing attorney-client privilege. Faraldi proposed an amendment protecting the city from potential termination costs, which was not seconded.

Key Outcomes

• Flock Resolutions Fail: The substitute motion and the main motion to immediately terminate the Flock agreement both FAILED by a vote of 2-4 (Diemer, Misjuns in favor; Taylor, Reed, Faraldi, Wilder opposed). Timmer was absent. The resolution adopted on September 3, 2026, which provides for termination by April 6, 2027, remains in effect.
• Rezoning Approvals: Two rezoning ordinances were adopted: one for 802 Court Street and one for 533 Leesville Road.
• Bridge Naming: Resolution R-26-080 naming the Odd Fellows Road Bridge after Earl Lee Brooks Sr. was adopted.
• Personnel Bonuses: Ordinance O-26-081 authorizing state-funded bonuses for Human Services employees was adopted.
• Budget Appropriations: Multiple grant-funding resolutions were introduced for parks, public safety, and IT equipment.
• Public Hearing Continued: The rezoning case for 5612 and 5616 Edgewood Avenue was continued to October 13, 2026.
• Discrepancy Note: The printed agenda included a "Consent Agenda" section (III), but this was not explicitly voted on as a block in the regular session; corresponding items were handled individually later in the meeting. The meeting was preceded by a joint session with the Lynchburg City School Board at 4:00 PM.