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4 <br />O'Connell said that CDBG funds could be considered for this program, if necessary, and <br />for JABA's Mountainside facility. <br /> <br />Responding to a question from Mr. Caravati, Mr. O'Connell said the County has <br />approved fund ing for Mountainside for one year. <br /> <br /> Mr. Schilling said he is troubled by the situation at JABA's Mountainside and is <br />nervous about the misleading bookkeeping and suggested that perhaps it should be look <br />into further. Mr. Schilling said that was a new and unknown venture for JABA and the <br />fact that unexpected things are coming up may indicate that not enough attention was <br />paid going into the new venture. He said he would like assurances that these type things <br />are looked into before going into it as well as ongoing. <br /> <br /> Mr. Caravati said he was on the team that worked with this effort and there were <br />also considerable outside consultants who advised on the proposal. Mr. Caravati said he <br />supports using CDBG funds for this purpose. He said he would like to get new budget <br />projections. <br /> <br /> Mr. Cox said he would like to advance the request to the CDBG Task Force as <br />Mountainside provides housing for low income elderly residents. <br /> <br /> Mr. Lynch said he supports CDBG funds for Mountainside. Mr. Lynch said the <br />difference t his year is JABA is dealing with actual numbers, not projections, and they are <br />not getting as many conversions to private pay as projected. Mr. Lynch expressed <br />concern with putting senior citizens out on the street. <br /> <br /> Ms. Richards said she supports using CDBG funds. She said when JABA <br />undertook to restructure and run this facility, Council understood that it is not an exact <br />science. <br /> <br /> Mr. Schilling said staff is looking into the cost of having a bus route to CATEC <br />using the $200,000 transit funds that are available, and he would support doing this on a <br />trial basis and sunset it after two years. He said he would put this high on the priority list <br />for these excess transit funds. <br /> <br /> Mr. O'Connell explained that a transit grant has been received, and staff is in the <br />process of putting a recommendation together. <br /> <br /> Mr. Lynch suggested that Council consider having a transit work session to <br />discuss this as well as Sunday service and extending the bus route down to Willoughby. <br /> <br /> Ms. Richards noted that the City has a five year transit development plan, and she <br />would like to know how it is being funded. <br /> <br /> On motion by Mr. Lynch, seconded by Ms. Richards, the "RESOLUTION <br />ADOPTING THE BUDGET FOR THE CITY OF CHARLOTTESVILLE FOR THE <br />FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING JULY 1, 2003, AND ENDING JUNE 30, 2004 AND <br />PROVIDING FOR THE ANNUAL APPROPRIATION OF FUNDS FOR SUCH <br />FISCAL YEAR" was offered and carried over to the next meeting for consideration. <br /> <br /> Ms. Richards said it would be good if Council could base its budget on cost of <br />living or p opulation as suggested, but the City is facing a lot of State mandates, including <br />the Comprehensive Services Act and jail expenses, and increases in landfill costs, public <br />safety, homeland security, juvenile detention, and health insurance. She said there is also <br />the need to maintain teacher salaries. Ms. Richards said funding for mental health <br />services have been reduced. She said the City is also in the process of upgrading its <br />communications and technology systems. She noted that City departmental bud get were <br />cut by 5%. <br /> <br />PUBLIC HEARING/ORDINANCE <br />: INCREASING MEALS TAX TO 4% <br /> <br />