2006-04-03 - Laserfiche WebLink

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110 PUBLIC HEARING : CITY COUNCIL’S PROPOSED BUDGET Mr. O’Connell listed the following tentative adjustments made by Council to the City Manager’s proposed budget: Reinstate large item pickup ($50,000 increase in revenue, $179,853 increase in expenditures); reduce contribution to Charlottesville Community Center for the Arts by $1,444; do not fund for Central Virginia Small Business Development Center ($10,000); reduce general fund contribution to Department of Social Services by $94,131; reduce general fund contribution to the CIP by $300,000; reduce general fund contribution to debt service by $200,000; city wide attrition savings of $300,000; city wide savings of $154,455; reduce fund balance target adjustment by $121,843; reduce contribution to Schools by $88,000; increase of $550 for VML annual dues; increase of $1,563 for Virginia First Cities annual dues; administrative adjustment increase for JABA volunteer program ($31,143); administrative adjustment increase for CYFS ($7,555); administrative adjustment increase for Piedmont Housing Alliance ($24,209); and new funding for Charlottesville Community Design Center ($25,000). The public hearing was opened. Mr. Todd Palmquist, 401 E. Water Street, representing the Piedmont Workforce Network, spoke in support of their $15,771 funding request. Mr. Thomas Marshall, a resident of Mountainside Senior Living, said that the majority of residents at Mountainside have no other place to live as there is a housing shortage all over the state. He asked that funding be reinstated. Ms. Lucy Briggs, a resident of Mountainside since 1997, said residents are concerned about the funding. She said she hopes a good solution can come about so the facility can continue as it is now. Mr. Thomas Sandridge, a resident of Mountainside, said he lived in another assisted living facility in the City that no longer exists. He said Mountainside does a wonderful job. On behalf of residents he asked for funding back. Mr. Christopher Murray, 1217 Hazel Street, speaking on behalf of Mountainside, said that it is a clean, well run facility. He said 39 of the 103 residents lived in Charlottesville at one time. He said 19 are auxiliary grant residents. He urged Council to maintain funding. He said $982.00 a month is received from the state or localities for auxiliary residents and there is no other place for these residents to go if they have to leave Mountainside. Mr. Derek Vanderlinde, 713 Palatine Avenue, referred to a comment by Mr. Lynch about it being hard to lower taxes due to demands placed on the City. He said citizens did not demand the transit center, the new computer system, or closing the two streets across the mall. He said the public also did not demand the expensive heating system in the transit center or the amphitheater. He said the public is not as demanding as you might think. He said Council should look at its own spending. Ms. Claire Coppin, a resident of Mountainside, said he was recently diagnosed with stage 4 cancer and was able to fine a home in Mountainside. He said 60% of residents there have cognitive disabilities. He said he was previously a City resident. He said Mountainside is a regional operation and provides a very high quality of life. Mr. Jay James, 613 A. Madison Avenue, a member of the Jefferson Area Board for Aging Board of Directors, said that supporting Mountainside is a statement that Council can make to show support for the elderly in our community. He asked that Council seriously consider providing funding. Mr. Jim Moore, 1213 Hazel Street, said that whenever the public is well informed they have the ability to govern themselves. He said the public needs to know how much Council wants to spend next year. He encouraged Council to review their responsibilities under our charter.