2007-03-20 - Laserfiche WebLink

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NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CHARLOTTESVILLE CITY COUNCIL WILL BE HELD ON Tuesday, March 20, 2007 AT 5:00 p.m. IN THE Basement Conference Room. THE PROPOSED AGENDA IS AS FOLLOWS: Budget Work Session BY ORDER OF THE MAYOR BY Jeanne Cox BASEMENT CONFERENCE ROOM – March 20, 2007 Council met in special session on this date with the following members present: Dr. Brown, Ms. Hamilton, Mr. Lynch, Mr. Norris, Mr. Taliaferro. Mr. O’Connell explained that $1.75 million ($1.5 million from FY 2006 surplus and $250,000 from the General Fund) is proposed for the Charlottesville Affordable Housing Investment Program (CAHIP). He said if Council is comfortable with that amount of money, he suggested that the specifics of this program be discussed at a work session in May. He said it is hoped that this funding will leverage other funds. Mr. Taliaferro said he thinks we should approve this program. Mr. Norris acknowledge concern that the City not go it alone, and he agreed that we should make sure we do all we can to partner with the County and others. Dr. Brown said that our funding could induce the County or let them off the hook. He said if these funds are approved in the budget before any funds are spent we should ask the County to provide matching funds. Mr. Norris said his concern is he has not seen willingness on the County’s part to provide funding, and meanwhile our citizens are suffering. Dr. Brown asked what the Housing Advisory Committee had in mind regarding leveraging other funds, and Mr. Norris said things such as home renovation, elderly housing, public housing, special needs housing. He said the program could be limited to current City residents. Ms. Hamilton said it may be smart for the County to start with a task force. She said they have a very different problem. She agreed that the City has a real need. Mr. Lynch said he supports funding generally, but he does not want to spend money until there is matching money from the County, University or other grant funds. He said he thinks it should be a regional commitment. He said he thinks workforce development is more important. Mr. Taliaferro said he does not disagree and he would like to see the funds matched, but historically the County has not done that. Mr. Norris said he does not disagree in theory with Mr. Lynch, but it is a political reality that the County is cutting services and they have not made affordable housing a priority. He said we could stipulate this year that the program be targeted to Charlottesville residents. Dr. Brown said he is okay with the proposal as long as the program is targeted to City residents. Mr. Lynch said buying back the Meadowcreek treatment property is an interesting idea. Dr. Brown said he is comfortable moving forward and holding a work session in May on the specifics of CAHIP.