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121 <br />up with a written proposal, that Council appoint a group of citizens who will be able to <br />assist in organizing sister city relationships. He said these take time and a champion on <br />Council. He said the majority of funding for these relationships is private. He said he is <br />working on a direct business exchange with Bescancon. <br /> <br /> Ms. Hamilton spoke in favor of Mr. Caravati’s proposal. She said she has been <br />working with a group regarding Ghana. She said this potential relationship has the full <br />backing of the Chamber of Commerce. She said it is hard for Councilors to pursue these <br />relationships given their workload. She said she thinks the committee is an excellent idea <br />and will help with evaluating and raising money. <br /> <br /> Mr. Schilling and Dr, Brown said they think it is a good suggestion and they will <br />support it. <br /> <br /> On the question of the tax levy, Mr. Lynch said we should ask the Governor and <br />General Assembly for another tool to make the tax burden more equitable by having <br />differential rates. He said he has had discussion with Senator Deeds and Delegate <br />Toscano and they think it is unlikely to get movement in this session on the proposal, but <br />he thinks we should at last get it on the table and tee it up for next year’s legislative <br />package. He read his proposed resolution. He said if we had this authority we could look <br />at a 15 cent tax decrease. <br /> <br /> Ms. Hamilton asked if this is comparable to a homestead exemption. <br /> <br /> Mr. Lynch said yes and it is similar to Governor Kaine’s proposal, but would <br />allow us to enact the differential rate at our own discretion. He said he thinks it would be <br />a valuable tool for some localities. <br /> <br /> Dr. Brown said he thinks this is impossible to do in the General Assembly now. <br />He said Delegate Toscano would like it addressed in the City’s legislative package in the <br />fall, and he suggested that it be put off until then. <br /> <br /> Mr. Lynch said he has no problem not resolving it tonight, but feels it is important <br />to take a stand on it, and said he will bring it back. <br /> <br /> Dr. Brown said he understands this would require amending the State <br />Constitution. <br /> <br /> Mr. Caravati said he supports further discussion about it. He said it speaks to the <br />issue that our hands are tied. <br /> <br /> Mr. Lynch said he thinks it can be addressed as a matter of State Code. He said <br />those saying it has to be a Constitutional change are making it overly difficult. <br /> <br /> Mr. Caravati suggested that Virginia First Cities and VML be contacted to ask <br />that it be made a primary issue in next year’s legislative session. <br /> <br />RESOLUTION <br />: APPROVING WORKER’S COMP SETTLEMENT <br /> <br /> On motion by Mr. Caravati, seconded by Mr. Schilling, the Resolution Approving <br />a Worker’s Comp Settlement was approved by the following vote. Ayes: Dr. Brown, <br />Mr. Caravati, Ms. Hamilton, Mr. Lynch, Mr. Schilling. Noes: None. <br /> <br />WHEREAS <br /> , the City has been requested to compromise a statutory lien for <br />workers’ compensation benefits paid out to a former employee, in connection with a <br />work-related injury; and <br /> <br />WHEREAS <br /> , the former employee (whose name is not stated here for reasons of <br />confidentiality) has asked the City to accept $30,000 cash, net of attorneys fees and costs, <br />along with a waiver of all future workers’ compensation entitlements (subject to approval <br />by the Virginia Workers’ Compensation Commission), as full satisfaction of the City’s <br />statutory lien; and <br /> <br />