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9 <br /> Mr. Caravati's motion was denied by the following vote. Ayes: Mr. Caravati and <br />Mr. Schilling. Noes: Mr. Cox, Mr. Lynch, Ms. Richards. <br /> <br />PUBLIC HEARING/APPROPRIATION <br />: $1,034,658 - STATE FUNDING FOR <br />SCHOOLS FOR FY 05 <br /> <br /> Ms. Leslie Bea uregard, Budget Manager, explained that the City's budget was <br />finalized before the State budget was approved, and it needs to be amended to reflect an <br />additional allocation of funds. <br /> <br /> The public hearing was opened, but as there were no speakers, the publi c hearing <br />was closed. <br /> <br /> Mr. Schilling said he cannot support the way the money is spent for the reasons he <br />stated at the last meeting. <br /> <br /> Ms. Richards said she is pleased that the instructional assistants and the Spanish <br />program have been reinstated. <br /> <br /> Ms. Richards made a motion to approve the appropriation, Mr. Caravati seconded <br />it and the $1,034,658 appropriation of state funding for Schools for FY 05 was offered <br />and carried over to the next meeting for consideration. <br /> <br /> Mr. Lynch said this represents an ef fort by the State to make up funding. He said <br />if we had known about these funds before the budget was adopted he would have <br />advocated lowering taxes. He said it makes sense to put funds in the capital fund, and he <br />will support lowering taxes next year. <br /> <br />REPORT <br />: TRANSIT CENTER <br /> <br /> Mr. Bill Letteri, Facilities Manager, said the Transit Center is a part of the <br />improvement project for the east end of the downtown mall. He said the Federal Transit <br />Authority is enthusiastic about the project and sees it as a sh owcase project for the City. <br />Mr. Letteri gave a power point presentation showing the design and floor plan of the <br />Transit Center, and explained that the project will also include mass grading and utility <br />relocation (underground), extension of the downtown mall, and the renovated <br />amphitheater. <br /> <br /> Responding to a question from Mr. Cox, Mr. Letteri said the design has been <br />presented to the Steering Committee and the BAR will have a preliminary review of the <br />th <br />project on June 15 . <br /> <br /> Mr. David Toscano, Chairman of the Steering Committee, said the Committee is <br />very enthusiastic in their support, and design concerns have been addressed. He said <br />there are some concerns about making sure that the amphitheater site is green and public <br />enough. <br /> <br /> Mr. Schilling asked wh at the contingency plan is for cost overruns. <br /> <br /> Mr. Letteri said costs have been a concern, and a cost estimate firm will be hired <br />to help. <br /> <br /> Mr. Schilling asked what will happen if the cost overrun is over $1 million, and <br />Mr. Letteri said there will be a 10% design contingency and then a 10% construction <br />contingency which he feels will be adequate. <br /> <br /> Mr. Lynch asked if the Transit Center is being kept within the $6 million grant, <br />and Mr. Letteri said that is the instruction to date. He said an additional grant of $2.5 <br />million is being sought, though it is not known how that will be allocated at this time. <br /> <br />