2003-01-21 - Laserfiche WebLink

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NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CHARLOTTESVILLE CITY COUNCIL WILL BE HELD ON Tuesday, January 21, 2003 AT 7:00 p.m. IN THE Council Chambers. THE PROPOSED AGENDA IS AS FOLLOWS: Budget Forum BY ORDER OF THE MAYOR BY Jeanne Cox CO UNCIL CHAMBER - January 21, 2003 Council met in special session on this date with the following members present: Mr. Caravati, Mr. Cox, Mr. Lynch, Ms. Richards, Mr. Schilling. BUDGET FORUM Mr. Hanz Gertzel, owner of property at 2206/2208 Fontaine Ave nue, supported sidewalks and undergrounding utilities, but not widening of Fontaine because on - street parking will be lost and ten feet will be taken from front yards. Mr. Gertzel also expressed concern that businesses will become non - conforming uses. M s. Peggy Van Yahres, 1700 Chesapeake Street, speaking as a School Board member, supported the proposed increase in the meals tax to fund school capital projects. Ms. Van Yahres said she is aware of $20 million in capital needs for the schools over the nex t five year, $10 million of which is needed to address critical building needs. Ms. Richards read from an e - mail received suggesting that money could be saved by mailing parking permit renewals as the County does, and said she would be interested in staf f following up on this suggestion. Mr. Caravati noted that most of the e - mails received about the proposal to increase the automobile decal were opposed to the suggestion, and he asked where the additional funds are proposed to go. Mr. O'Connell said t hat the City's decal is currently $20 and the County's is $25. The City's decal could be increased to either $25 or $30, with additional revenue going toward neighborhood policing. Mr. Chris Gensic, 1115 Elliott Avenue, said he generally supports fee in creases, especially the trash fee increase, but feels that any additional revenue raised by increasing the decal fee should be put toward transportation and removal of signs on sidewalks. Mr. Gensic said he is not as supportive of the proposal to increase the meals tax. Ms. Virginia Amiss, Watson Avenue, said that the costs for many things, from drugs to fees, have increased, while her social security has only increased $1 a month. Ms. Amiss said that a category of new poor is being created with the exc essive rate of reassessments. Ms. Amiss suggested placing a moratorium on taxes for senior citizens and raising the amount for real estate relief, and striking unnecessary things from the budget such as yellow bikes, trips to sister cities, and Art in Pla ce. Ms. Amiss said she would like to be on an oversight committee if increases are approved to assure they go to the right place. Mr. Caravati read an e - mail supporting increasing the trash sticker fees to cover all costs. Mr. Cox said he would be sup portive of putting the revenue from increased decals to alternative transportation. Mr. Lynch read an e - mail asking why the City is not reducing taxes since the State is reducing its budget. He noted that the State is reducing taxes by reducing money