2002-07-16 - Laserfiche WebLink

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NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CHARLOTTESVILLE CITY COUNCIL WILL BE HELD ON Tuesday, July 16, 2002 AT 5:00 p.m. IN THE Council Chamber. THE PROPOSED AGENDA IS AS FOLLOWS: Work Session: Proposed Downtown Service District BY ORDER O F THE MAYOR BY Jeanne Cox COUNCIL CHAMBER - July 16, 2002 Council met in special session on this date with the following members present: Mr. Cox, Mr. Lynch, Ms. Richards, Mr. Schilling. Absent: Mr. Caravati. Ms. Lucy Meade, Director of Busines s Development for Richmond Renaissance, a public private partnership in Richmond, gave an overview of service provided by Richmond Renaissance. Ms. Meade said their budget is $1.4 million total, with half contributed by the City of Richmond. She said the y have five full - time employees and 12 to 15 part - time contract employees. Ms. Kim Waters, Executive Director of Staunton's downtown tax district, said their budget is approximately $110,000, with $60,000 to $63,000 raised through the tax assessment and the remainder contributed by the City of Staunton. She said they have one full - time and one half - time employee. Responding to a question from Mr. Lynch, Ms. Waters said their board is voted on by the membership, and Ms. Meade said their board is chosen by their executive committee. Responding to a question from Mr. Schilling, Ms. Waters said 50% of their budget goes toward administration and 10% for marketing, and Ms. Meade said 15% of Richmond's budget goes toward administration, and $174,000 toward a dvertising. Mr. Cox asked how the cities of Richmond and Staunton exercise control over the districts. Ms. Meade said that the City of Richmond is involved in the development of a work plan and budget, and Richmond Renaissance submits a series of rep orts and an annual summary of accomplishments to the City. Ms. Meade said an independent audit is also done, and the City Manager or Deputy City Manager is involved on a regular basis. Ms. Waters said the involvement by the City of Staunton is similar t o that in Richmond, with monthly reports submitted to the City Council. Ms. Waters said the City Manager or Assistant City Manager also sit in on meetings of the board. Responding to a question from Mr. Cox, Ms. Meade said assessments in Richmond were i nitially differential, some paying 3% and some paying $18%, but now everyone pays 5%. Ms. Richards asked if Richmond Renaissance has received feedback from property owners about the impact of the district on rental residential rates, and Ms. Meade said t hat was not really an issue. She said that the issue was how their money was used. Responding to a question from Mr. Lynch, Ms. Meade said their board is a mix of location and neighborhoods, corporate businesses, developers, landlords, tourism, small an d moderate business owners, and City officials. Ms. Meade said they also try to have the board 50% African - American.