Aug. 13, 2026 Work Session and Regular Meeting of Staunton City Council

The City of Staunton, VA City Council held a work session and regular meeting on August 13, 2026, which included significant discussions on flood resilience and infrastructure projects. A key focus was the presentation of the City of Staunton Flood Resilience Plan, approved by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, which enables the city to apply for substantial grant funding covering up to 95% of project costs with a 5% city match. The plan outlines prioritized flood mitigation projects, including nature-based solutions and community-scale initiatives, and emphasizes the need for ongoing updates and public engagement. Additionally, the council reviewed the Warf Daylighting Visibility Study, which evaluated options for addressing tunnel deterioration and flooding in the downtown area. The study compared tunnel replacement, partial or full daylighting of streams, and the associated costs, parking impacts, and flood mitigation benefits. Council members discussed the trade-offs between cost, parking loss, and potential economic and aesthetic benefits of daylighting, with a consensus toward advancing partial daylighting and further community engagement. The meeting also included approval to apply for a $26,430 Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services FY2027 Edward Burn Memorial Justice Assistance Grant to upgrade forensic technology, and amendments to city code removing obsolete references to a city health officer. A closed session was held to discuss a public works contract award and disposition of city property. Public comments addressed flood mitigation strategies and community impacts of the daylighting project. Overall, the meeting focused on advancing flood resilience infrastructure projects, securing grant funding, and updating city policies to support these efforts.