2003-04-07 - Laserfiche WebLink

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2 $1000 to help with expenses for the event planned for April 12, "Many Races, One Community." Ms. Nancy O'Brien, also representing Citizens for a United Community, presented Council with a rev ised budget for the "Many Races, One Community" event. Mr. Stan Tatum, 540 Park Street, said he has recently been encountering groups who are often young and obscene on the Downtown Mall. He said he is concerned about the lack of police presence and fee ls there should be a reasonable standard of public conduct. Ms. Richards said that the problem Mr. Tatum described has developed this year and she expressed concern about the impact on visitors. Mr. O'Connell said he has discussed the problem with the Police Chief and there will be increased police presence on the Downtown Mall on the weekends. PUBLIC HEARING : CITY COUNCIL'S PROPOSED FY 03 - 04 BUDGET Mr. O'Connell reviewed the proposed budget and changes tentatively proposed by Council, including $12 ,300 for PAPIS, $6,000 for the Cooperative Extension Service, and $9,200 for Charlottesville Contemporary Arts Association. The public hearing was opened. Ms. Lana Chassman, Director of Communications for WVPT, requested that City funding be reinstated and reviewed the programs offered. Ms. Chassman said that her WVPT office is located in the City and WVPT does significant local programming. Ms. Daisy White, 5516 Three Notched Road, Crozet, said she is a former victim of domestic violence, and request ed full funding for the Shelter for Help in Emergency's community education program. Ms. Elizabeth Burke, a SHE Board Member, said SHE depends on funding from local governments and the reduction in funding will jeopardize their community education progra m. Ms. Susan Wood, Preston Avenue, said she is a survivor of domestic abuse and went to SHE for help. She said SHE relies heavily on volunteers and the education program is vital. Mr. Chauncey Brown, 110 Greenwich Court, said he is a SHE volunteer and the education program helped him deal with victims. Ms. Nancy Damon, 2407 Jefferson Park Avenue, representing the Virginia Foundation for the Humanities which presents the Virginia Festival of the Book, thanked Council for their many years of support fo r the Book Festival. Ms. Emily Powell, 1808 Rugby Road, Director of Case Management Services for Jefferson Area Board for Aging, thanked Council for supporting JABA. Mr. Charles Lilly, 804 Druid Avenue, said he is being taxed out of his house. He sai d the City hires consultants and spends almost $200,000 for travel. He said utility taxes are high and he cannot afford to pay the upkeep on his house. Mr. Lilly said he would like to give his house to the City and move into public housing. Ms. Kimberl y Koltz, a resident of Palmyra, said she was in two abusive relationships prior to being helped by SHE. Ms. Koltz said she is scared that Council is going to cut SHE's budget and turn their backs on the victims.