2006-03-23 - Laserfiche WebLink

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93 Regarding the Community Design Center, Mr. Lynch said he thinks it is important to have them downtown and they provide an in-kind need. He suggested that they could be relocated to the current Visitors Center site downtown. Dr. Brown said he thinks they are a huge asset for the City. He said they are funded from private sources and it is important to show that the City values them. He said he would support putting money in, or in-kind services. Mr. Lynch said he would like to see us support them, but suggested that perhaps they could be put on retainer and target $50,000 worth of work. It was agreed that a decision on the Community Design Center would be put off until the next meeting. Dr. Brown said he would favor giving them a specific amount in the budget. Mr. Caravati said he is conflicted since we have given them $50,000 in contract work. He said we could take $50,000 out of the $50,000 from Neighborhood Development Services for contract work with a zero budget change. Mr. Jim Tolbert, Director of Neighborhood Development Services, said that $50,000 was paid out for the Comprehensive Plan, CIP update. Mr. Craig Brown, City Attorney, said there are procurement considerations that have to be taken into account. Dr. Brown asked if there would be support for providing $25,000. Mr. Caravati said he needs more information and needs to know more about the relationship. Mr. Lynch said he would like to see a better definition of the program. Regarding McGuffey Arts Center, Ms. Hamilton said she thinks the organization may need help growing into a different role. Dr. Brown suggested cutting the rent increase by half, but no support was expressed for his proposal. Regarding JABA’s Mountainside, Mr. Lynch said that four years ago JABA came to Council for one time money. He said he does not support funding. Mr. Schilling noted that Council also gave additional funds after the initial funding request. He said that the review team’s report shows JABA did not provide a quarterly report or a business plan. He said he respects the review team’s recommendation. Ms. Hamilton said those are valid points, and said we should insist on a plan. She said she is getting calls in support of Mountainside from elderly people and she cannot say no. Mr. Caravati said he does not support funding. He said the state is shirking its responsibility. He said he is disappointed in the private pay participation levels. Mr. Caravati proposed $3,500 for First Night Virginia, and Dr. Brown supported the proposal. No additional support was expressed for more funding for First Night. The majority of Council supported funding for the Urban Vision Program. No support was expressed for funding the Small Business Development Center.