2008-03-13 - Laserfiche WebLink

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NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CHARLOTTESVILLE CITY COUNCIL WILL BE HELD ON Thursday, March 13, 2008 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 13, 2008 Council met in special session on this date with the following members present: Dr. Brown, Ms. Edwards, Mr. Huja, Mr. Norris, Mr. Taliaferro. Major Initiatives and Service Enhancements Mr. Bill Watterson, Transit Manager, said that adding service at peak times and new territory on Rt. 3 and 6, a loop off Rt. 29 at Angus Road, and a route to Charlottesville High School are proposed. He said these recommendations respond to neighborhood concerns. He said Albemarle County has pledged local funding for night service on Route 5 if a grant is secured. Mr. Huja said his preference would be to go to Yorktown Drive and loop back to CHS, and Mr. Watterson said that would be okay as long as the route can be kept on time. He suggested we give the changes at least six months before reporting on their success. Mr. Huja asked how we can radically improve and change the system to better serve our customers. He said someone from the outside should look at that. Mr. Norris said he agrees we should think big about how we can be more effective and attract new customers. Mr. Huja said Albemarle County is putting very little new money into transit. He said we should consider selling the system to the proposed Transit Authority. Mr. Watterson said that the current 80% City funding/20% County funding ratio for transit remains the same for next year. Councilors expressed agreement with the transit proposals. Mr. Edwards asked how we can formally and systematically find out how things are going with the transit routes. Mr. Watterson said we can figure out the ridership and will be able to report on “on time service.” Mr. O’Connell said that money from last year’s budget surplus and the funds proposed in next year’s budget will increase funding for affordable housing to $1.4 million. He said $1 million a year for the next five years is proposed in the capital budget. Mr. Huja said he would support putting more money in for housing to address people making 30% below the AMI. Mr. Norris asked that the terminology for the various affordable housing programs be clarified. Mr. O’Connell proposed that Council hold a work session after the budget is adopted to decide how to allocate the affordable housing funds.