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2 <br /> Ms. Meade said their board is a mixture of property owners, architects, retail, <br />residential, library director, Historic Staunton Foundat ion, and bankers. <br /> <br /> Responding to a question from Mr. Cox about tax abatement, Ms. Meade said that <br />if buildings are renovated, the increased assessment is abated for ten years, and then <br />phased in over five years. <br /> <br /> Mr. Schilling asked about the base tax ra tes, and Ms. Meade said Richmond's is <br />$1.47 and Ms. Waters said Staunton's is $1. <br /> <br /> Ms. Renee Knake, Assistant City Attorney, said that the Downtown Property <br />Owners Council is in agreement with the proposed ordinance creating the service district. <br /> <br /> Mr. Ly nch asked who would appoint the board in Charlottesville and how would <br />oversight work, and Ms. Knake said that is not included in the ordinance. <br /> <br /> Mr. Lynch asked what are the big goals we are trying to accomplish, and said he <br />thinks that we first need to see if those can be accomplished with existing resources. <br /> <br /> Mr. Cox said the idea of the service districts was brought to Council by the <br />Downtown Property Owners Council, and he thinks it is the responsibility of those who <br />have brought it to Council to hel p sell the idea. <br /> <br /> Mr. Schilling expressed concern that Council is being put in the middle of this <br />issue, and suggested that the Chamber of Commerce or someone else hold a forum to <br />address concerns directly with those who are promoting it. <br /> <br /> Mr. Cox said t he he thinks the idea of a forum is good, but feels that Council <br />needs to define something to put before the public. <br /> <br /> Mr. Schilling said he would rather hear the arguments before putting something <br />forward. <br /> <br /> Mr. Lynch expressed agreement with Mr. Schillin g. <br /> <br /> Boundaries of a district were discussed. <br /> <br /> Ms. Richards said she feels the district boundaries would be defined somewhat by <br />the goals. <br /> <br /> Mr. O'Connell said that the annual revenue generated from including only the <br />main downtown mall area, excluding re sidential property, would be $289,000. <br /> <br /> Mr. Cox asked Councilors asked which boundary they would favor if they <br />approved the concept of the district. <br /> <br /> Mr. Lynch said that goes back to what the goals are, but he is inclined to go with <br />option "c" (the entir e area less subareas 1 and 2) given DPOC's objectives. <br /> <br /> Ms. Richards agreed with option "c" which she feels is more consistent with the <br />current goals. <br /> <br /> Mr. Schilling prefaced his preference by saying he would like to see a 10 or 20 <br />year vision, but based on the limited amount of information available, he would favor <br />option "c." <br /> <br /> Mr. Cox said he too favors a smaller district which could be expanded as the <br />district proves its value. <br /> <br /> Mr. Cox asked for Councilor's preference for including residential prope rties. <br /> <br />