Laserfiche WebLink
5 <br /> Mr. O'Connell said the proposal is to increase the meals tax to 4% which is <br />expected to generate an additional $1.3 million annually. The funds are proposed to be <br />dedicated to ca pital improvements and will be used to provide debt service on a $10 <br />million bond, $7 million of which will be used for school capital improvements, and $3 <br />million for the Downtown Mall and West Main Street upgrades, and $520,000 will be <br />used for facility repair funds. <br /> <br /> The public hearing was opened. <br /> <br /> Ms. Dede Smith, 2652 Jefferson Park Circle, School Board member, supported <br />the meals tax increase and thanked Council for recognizing the dire needs in the schools. <br /> <br /> Mr. Michael Gallahue, 1828 Yorktown Driv e, a member of the PTO Council, <br />favored the meals tax increase because of the school facility needs. Mr. Gallahue noted <br />that the revenues will come partly from visitors. <br /> <br /> As there were no further speakers, the public hearing was closed. <br /> <br />On motion by Mr. Lynch, seconded by Ms. Richards, the ordinance entitled "AN <br />ORDINANCE AMENDING AND REORDAINING SECTION 30 - 283 OF ARTICLE X, <br />CHAPTER 30 OF THE CHARLOTTESVILLE CITY CODE, 1990, AS AMENDED, <br />RELATING TO THE MEALS TAX" was offered and carried over to the next meeting <br />for consideration. <br /> <br />Mr. Lynch requested that the School prioritize these funds for Charlottesville <br />High School. <br /> <br />Mr. Schilling said he thinks it is important that Council sees the presentation <br />made by the City's Facilities Manager before they set p riorities for use of the funds. <br /> <br />Mr. Caravati said the School Board presented CHS as the most dire in need. <br /> <br />Mr. Schilling said that some things at CHS are not in the highest priority, and he <br />feels it is better to review all the needs. Mr. Schilling said that doing some things all at <br />once may be the best way to spend the money. <br /> <br />Ms. Richards said she thinks it best for Council not to try to second guess the <br />priorities without having all the information. Ms. Richards said that rather than have the <br />Council recommend a priority, she suggested that she and Mr. Schilling, representatives <br />on the School Capital Projects Committee, take the issue back to the Committee. <br /> <br />Mr. Lynch agreed with Ms. Richards' suggestion. <br /> <br />Mr. Caravati said he supports using half of t he $3 million for the Downtown Mall, <br />but does not feel there was a consensus about targeting the remainder for West Main <br />Street, though he acknowledged Council will probably agree it is a high priority. Mr. <br />Caravati requested that it be clear that these f unds are not tagged for West Main Street. <br />He said he would like to look at all the economic development initiatives and have a <br />prioritization session to determine where to spend the money over the next five years. <br />Mr. Caravati noted that funds will also be needed for Jefferson School. <br /> <br />Mr. Cox said he understands Mr. Caravati's desire for flexibility, but noted that <br />estimates for West Main Street are $8.5 million, and he expressed concern about getting <br />those improvements done. <br /> <br />Mr. Lynch agreed with Mr. C aravati, and said he is not sure the process is far <br />enough alone to designate funds for West Main Street. Mr. Lynch said the Downtown <br />Mall is something we know we have to do, and if it turns out West Main Street is teed up <br />and ready to go, he will be okay with that. <br /> <br />Mr. Caravati said he realizes that Council set priorities for corridors and West <br />Main Street, but feels it would be better to look at the whole spectrum of economic <br />