2006-03-23 - Laserfiche WebLink

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90 Ms. Hamilton said she would like to discuss rent for McGuffey. Mr. O’Connell said that the increases relate to utilities and the HVAC allocation. He said the rent was proposed to increase to offset these expenses. He said staff is trying to allocate direct costs. Ms. Hamilton said it is interesting comparing the leases of McGuffey and the Historical Society. She said the Historical Society pays $120 a year and has full control of the building. She said if one is more in control of their building, would not they be better to take care of it. Mr. O’Connell said the buildings are different. He noted that the Historical Society renovated their building with private money. Ms. Mueller added that the Historical Society was also required to change their name as part of the lease agreement. Mr. O’Connell said staff is trying to get the various building leases to coincide with the budget in the future. Ms. Hamilton said she thinks it would be beneficial to McGuffey if they could get assistance with becoming more independent. Dr. Brown said that McGuffey artists are experiencing sticker shock with the proposed rent increase. He noted that they spent $8,600 painting recently. He said he understands the need to cover the 20% utility increase. Dr. Brown proposed a rent increase of 20% or 25% with the idea that we look seriously at a different structured lease with them being responsible for the building. Mr. Lynch said he would not support that proposal. He said even with the increase it is only a $1.5 a foot lease. Mr. Schilling added that everybody else is paying for increases, and McGuffey artists just have to pay it to be fair. Mr. O’Connell said that if McGuffey was responsible for maintenance costs and if the building was not properly maintained, the costs to the City could be higher. Mr. Lynch suggested having a work session on the issue. He said McGuffey could move to becoming a separate entity such as the Paramount Theater or Live Arts. He said the building could be sold for $1. Mr. Schilling said that the Charlottesville Contemporary Center for the Arts (CCCA) and Municipal Band received $33,000 and $50,000 respectively to pay taxes. He said in this climate that is not equitable to the average person having trouble staying in their homes. He said maybe they need to leave the City if they cannot pay the taxes. Ms. Hamilton said the Municipal Band has been in the City forever. She said that CCCA did not ask for money previously. She said these are groups that have given a tremendous amount to the City. She said more is at stake than money. Mr. Caravati defended the Municipal Band, but said he leans toward not giving CCCA an increase. Mr. Lynch asked about the Urban Vision Program. Ms. Ellis said this was a new program that was reviewed carefully. She said the review team was convinced it has had an impact at Friendship Court. She said the proposal is to replicate the program in one additional neighborhood in the City and County.