City Manager Sanders presented the City Manager’s FY26 work plan to Charlottesville City Council on Aug. 26, framing the upcoming year as focused on implementing existing strategies across ADA compliance, transportation, housing, public safety and downtown investments.
Sanders said the work plan stresses action over new planning and highlighted an ADA transition plan kickoff with a goal of roughly $2 million per year for five years to remove barriers in sidewalks and crossings. He told council the city is years behind on accessible infrastructure and framed the ADA work as a cultural commitment to an inclusive mobility network.
On homelessness and supportive services, Sanders outlined a multipronged strategy: strengthen the Blue Ridge Area Coalition for the Homeless (BRAC), explore tiny‑village and multiple‑shelter options, consider low‑barrier shelter alternatives, add street outreach workers, invest in supportive housing and long‑term storage for people experiencing homelessness, and pursue regional partnerships. Sanders emphasized there is no single silver bullet and said short‑term sheltering must be paired with long‑term housing options and service coordination.
Other priorities include advancing transportation (including four subplans), capital improvement planning, implementing the Parks and Recreation Master Plan and downtown mall enhancements ahead of the downtown mall’s 50th anniversary. Sanders also proposed reframing the administration’s commitment language from JEDI to “community prosperity” to emphasize outcomes rather than terminology.
Council response: Council members emphasized climate resilience, better storytelling and outreach to increase public understanding of city work, and deeper community engagement on transportation and housing. Councilors also asked staff to integrate hazard mitigation and storm resilience into capital planning.
Next steps: Sanders said staff will provide quarterly updates tied to the work plan and return with concrete follow‑up items such as ADA project lists, homelessness implementation updates and transportation plans.