2005-03-21 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Mr. Blake Hurt, Albemarle County resident, asked for $10,000 for Art in Place. He said Art in Place makes the area more interesting when traveling by car. He said the idea of public art is to improve the quality of life. He said art produces a range of opinions. Mr. Kenneth Martin, 222 Lankford Avenue, said he has $9 million in proposed expenditures that he would like Council to think about. He said the retirement increase seems strange and asked what is going on. He said taxpayers cannot afford the salary increases. He agreed with the police information and said he is ashamed of the compensation for public safety employees. He asked why outside agencies should feel entitled to a cost of living raise. He said the Council reserve is a slush fund. He asked why taxpayers provide $15,000 for Virginia First Cities to go to tell the State to raise our State taxes. He said he does not think the computer reserve is necessary and he does not agree with providing $3 million for Jefferson School and said the money should be withheld until we decide its future and who will own it. Rev. Ralph Brown, 704 12th Street, N.W., spoke in support of the Police Chief. As there were no further speakers, the public hearing was closed. Dr. Brown said Council will hold a budget work session on Thursday. Mr. Schilling asked for clarification about whether the City has a policy that prohibits employees from presenting comments on the budget, and Mr. Brown said there is no policy prohibiting this. Mr. Lynch said he agrees that the taxes are a burden, but said we do have a number of cots keeping employees beyond the consumer price index. He said the increases are mostly in health and retirement. He said that contrary to comments made, there is no proposal to cut the police budget. He said a 12% increase in the Police Department's budget is being recommended, not the 20% increase they wanted. He said he values public safety officers. He said he thinks City residents are getting good value for their service. RESOLUTIONS/APPROPRIATION: PROGRAMMING RESOLUTION FOR MEADOWCREEK PARKWAY AND AUTHORIZING CITY MANAGER TO SIGN VDOT AGREEMENT FOR DESIGN PHASE; $1.5 MILLION IN STATE FUNDS FOR DESIGN; APPROVING LETTER TO VDOT Mr. Jim Tolbert, Director of Neighborhood Development Services, explained that Council has approved the RFP, the appropriation on first reading, and the composition of the steering committee. He said the charge of the committee remains to be decided, and Council needs to act on the programming resolution and authorizing the City Manager to sign the agreement with VDOT for the City to manage the project. Also to be decided is language in the letter to VDOT and whether it includes absolute conditions or conditions that Council believes are essential but may not stop the project. Mr. Tolbert said it is his understanding that the groups represented on the committee will recommend their representative. Ms. Hamilton said that both of the issues before us, the programming resolution for design of the grade separated interchange and the update of the letter to VDOT, are extremely important. She said she feels the programming resolution must proceed as the study will clear up speculations. She said it is essential to get information in the highest level of detail and alternatives. She said concerns have been raised about the letter, especially the fact that the County has not been consulted about it. She said she does not think we have to proceed with both at the same time, and recommended that Council proceed with the programming resolution and the steering committee and hold off on the letter until Council meets with the Board of Supervisors. She suggested a slower approach be taken on the letter.