2004-12-06 - Laserfiche WebLink

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COUNCIL CHAMBER- December 6, 2004 Council met in regular session on this date with the following members present: Dr. Brown, Mr. Caravati, Ms. Hamilton, Mr. Lynch, Mr. Schilling. AWARDS/RECOGNITIONS: GOVERNMENT FINANCE OFFICERS ASSOCIATION DISTINGUISHED BUDGET AWARD Dr. Brown presented the Government Finance Officers Association Distinguished Budget award to Aubrey Watts and Leslie Beauregard. PUBLIC Ms. Antoinette Roads, 406 Oak Street, said she is familiar with the Dice and 4th Street neighborhood and there have been positive changes there in the last two years due to private investment. She said there is no need to invest public money in that area as the market is working and the City should not compete with the private sector. She suggested that the City instead provide more money for closing cost assistance. Mr. Charles Weber, 601 Locust Avenue, expressed strong opposition to the proposed budget guidelines. He said it perpetuates budget increases. He suggested that guidelines gl, 2 and 4 be eliminated and that there be no tax or fee increases. He said the goal should be to increase the real estate tax revenue by no more than 1%. Mr. Jeffrey Rossman, 1862 Edgewood Lane, expressed concern about the University of Virginia's charter initiative legislation and said the autonomy granted is far too broad. Mr. Rossman said he would appreciate Council's attention to this issue. Ms. Sue Herndon, 2422 Jefferson Park Avenue, a U. Va. Medical Center employee, said that the charter initiative will hurt Medical Center employees. Ms. Dena Bowers, a resident of Albemarle County, said that the charter initiative will have a negative effect on University employee retirement plans, especially future employees. She said the future benefits are to be more flexible and portable, but will not be as secure as what is offered now. Ms. Bowers asked Council to support the average University employee. CONSENT AGENDA Mr. Schilling removed approval of the minutes from the consent agenda. Mr. Lynch removed the resolution and appropriate regarding the Mobile Data Communications Contract, the resolution referring 217 Douglas PUD back to the Planning Commission, and the resolution authorizing the City Manger to sign the purchase agreement for 417-419 Park Street from the consent agenda. Mr. Caravati removed the ordinance rezoning the corner of Palatine venue and Avon Street from the consent agenda. On motion by Mr. Lynch, seconded by Ms. Hamilton, the following consent agenda items were approved by the following vote. Ayes: Dr. Brown, Mr. Caravati, Ms. Hamilton, Mr. Lynch, Mr. Schilling (except that Mr. Schilling voted no on the appropriation of $181,000 for a state grant for compressed natural gas school buses because he was not presented with a cost benefit analysis; no on the year end appropriation because he believes some of the reappropriations circumvent the budget process; and no on the resolution approving the City Manager's employment agreement because it is essentially a raise for the City Manager and he thinks that in this difficult budget climate it is time for the CEO to step up and not accept an increase. Noes: None (except for the items listed above on which Mr. Schilling voted no). a. APPROPRIATION: $181,000 - State Grant for Compressed Natural Gas School Buses (2nd reading)