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3 <br /> Ms. Holly Hatcher, a newly appointed City representative on the Commis sion, <br />reviewed what is ahead in the upcoming year: a community needs assessment; support <br />for Partnership for Children; improved information sharing within confidentiality laws; <br />and measurement of results of agencies. <br /> <br /> Regarding foster care rates, Mr. C ox asked if any inroads have been made to <br />improve the situation, or if the rates are continuing to increase. <br /> <br /> Mr. Robert Cox, Director of Social Services and member of the Commission, said <br />the rate has not improved, but has not risen. Mr. Cox said the ra te is driven in part by the <br />courts and the legal system, and the assumption is that Charlottesville is addressing a <br />higher percentage of those in need than more localities. Mr. Cox said that the <br />Commission is focusing on prevention. <br /> Ms. Richards asked if there is a higher degree of domestic violence in <br />Charlottesville, but Mr. Cox said he does not know that to be the case. <br /> <br /> Mr. Caravati suggested that the court's aid be enlisted regarding the foster care <br />rates, and Mr. Cox said they have an ongoing dialo gue with representatives of the court. <br /> <br />REPORT <br />: APPROVING CITY'S LEGISLATIVE PACKAGE <br /> <br /> Ms. Lisa Kelley, Deputy City Attorney, said that two proposed items were added <br />to the City's Legislative Package: a yield to bus program and authorization to allow bik e <br />racks to be placed on buses. <br /> <br /> Mr. Lynch made a motion to approve the City's Legislative Package and Mr. <br />Caravati seconded the motion. <br /> <br /> Ms. Richards asked if the yield to bus program will apply to all localities, and Ms. <br />Kelley said it with give localit ies the option to adopt an ordinance. <br /> <br /> Ms. Richards asked about the cost of retrofitting buses with yield signs and asked <br />would it not be sufficient just having buses use their turn signals. <br /> <br /> Ms. Kelley said she does not know the cost to retrofit buse s, but said that the yield <br />signs would put people on notice that they have to yield to buses, something not indicated <br />by a mere turn signal. <br /> <br /> Ms. Richards said she feels it is important to explicitly pass a policy stating that <br />the City will not make up fo r differences in State funding. <br /> <br /> Mr. Schilling noted that he voted against the Legislative Package for the Thomas <br />Jefferson Planning District Commission, which is also endorsed in the City's Package. <br />He said he would like to support the City's package, b ut only if the reference to the <br />TJPDC package is removed. Otherwise, he said he will abstain from voting on the <br />Package. <br /> <br /> Ms. Richards asked that Mr. Schilling summarize his objections, and he said there <br />are several items, but he did not feel he had an a dequate opportunity to address issues in <br />advance. <br /> <br /> Mr. Lynch said he wants to include reference to the TJPDC Legislative Package <br />in the City's package. <br /> <br /> Ms. Richards said it is her observation that Mr. Schilling has voted against items <br />when he feels he d oes not have all the information on hand, but suggested he may want to <br />abstain in such instances rather than vote against the item. <br /> <br /> The City's Legislative Package, as presented by Ms. Kelley, was approved by the <br />following vote. Ayes: Mr. Caravati, Mr. Cox, Mr. Lynch, Ms. Richards. Noes: None. <br />Abstaining: Mr. Schilling. <br /> <br />