2003-03-17 - Laserfiche WebLink

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3 Ms. Andrea Trank, 1309 Grove Road, a teacher and parent, said she was involved in getting recycling going in the City and supported the increase in trash fee s, noting that they remain low in the City. She encouraged Council to have the City continue to provide trash service. She said she is not in favor of lowering taxes because she wants services provided. She said she also supports the meals tax increase. Mr. John Hermsmeier, 1465 Strong Creek Drive, of the Environmental Education Center, said he feels it is important to have a volume based trash system. He also advocated for whatever it takes to continue the recycling program. Mr. Hermsmeier suggested that a reduce annual trash fee be provided to those on fixed incomes. As there were no further speakers, the public hearing was closed. Mr. Cox noted that the City does have a program that provides free trash stickers for persons who qualify. PUBLIC HEARING/RESOLUTION : LEASE FOR ALBEMARLE - CHARLOTTESVILLE HISTORICAL SOCIETY Mr. O'Connell said that a new five - year lease has been drawn up for the Albemarle - Charlottesville Historical Society, and noted that the Society has agreed to add Charlottesvill e to its name. Ms. Linda Peacock, Assistant City Manager, explained that the Historical Society nd has been in the City owned building on 2 Street since 1993, and contributed toward major renovation of the building. Ms. Peacock said that the Society's us e of the building is consistent with the wishes of Mr. McIntire when he donated the building to the City. Ms. Peacock said it is difficult to quantify the value of the Historical Society to the City. Mr. Garrett Smith, 329 Parkway, President of the Hist orical Society, said that the great majority of Historical Society members agreed to the name change. He said that the property was given to the City for a library and the current use is consistent with that stipulation. Mr. Smith said that the Historica l Society has strived to broaden its mission and membership. Mr. Douglas Day, Director of the Historical Society, said the Society serves as an extension of the Jefferson - Madison Regional Library, and has broadened its mission to include more local histo ry. He said their walking tours have also expanded. The public hearing was opened, but as there were no speakers, the public hearing was closed. Mr. Caravati said he supports the agreement which was well over a year in the making. He said the Histori cal Society gives a lot to our community. Mr. Schilling thanked the Historical Society for what it has done in its current location, but said he has not heard about this issue before even though it has apparently been worked on for months. He said that the market value of the property is $70,000 a year, but the proposed rent is only $120 a year. He said he feels it would be most prudent to postpone this decision. He said in a tight budget year he does not think this is the message that should be sent. He said citizens have asked Council to look for other ways to mitigate the high cost of taxes. He said we need to be consistent in honoring Mr. McIntire's wishes, noting that he also donated land where the McIntire Park Golf Course is located. Mr. Schi lling made a motion to postpone the matter to allow further evaluation in the context of the City's budget. Mr. Lynch seconded the motion. He said he supports the concept of supporting the Historical Society, but is concerned that the five year lease is beyond the term of this Council. He said he feels it should be looked at each year as a budgetary item as it is essentially a budgetary decision.