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6 <br />because of their importance. He said he has questions about the source and timing of the <br />funding recommendations. He asked what should be considered for short-term action <br />versus part of the budget. <br /> <br /> Mr. Watts said funds are in place now for fare free transit for VIEW clients and if <br />Council would like to proceed with that he can work with Social Services immediately. <br />He said in the future the annual cost of providing this would be $60,000. He said <br />extending free parking on weekend downtown through the end of the project would result <br />in receiving $15,000 less in revenue. <br /> <br /> Dr. Brown and Mr. Norris said they like the parking idea. <br /> <br /> Ms. Edwards asked if there is a way to get an update on the impact fare free <br />transit is having on VIEW clients. <br /> <br /> Mr. Robert Cox, Director of Social Services, said he can provide a report at three <br />or six months. He noted that the service has been provided for a number of years, but the <br />State funds for the program are drying up. <br /> <br /> Councilors indicated their support for continuing the fare free transit for VIEW <br />clients. <br /> <br /> Ms. Edwards said she would like to know who their employers are. She asked if <br />staff can find out the impact free parking has had on businesses. <br /> <br /> Mr. Watt said the best measure is how much people are spending. He said most <br />businesses are seeing a decline. <br /> <br />REPORT <br />: FEDERAL ECONOMIC STIMULUS PACKAGE – REQUEST FOR <br />LOCAL PROJECTS <br /> <br /> Mr. O’Connell explained that the House of Representatives is taking up a two <br />year economic recovery package and is seeking one-time projects that create jobs and are <br />“shovel” ready. He said that staff developed a range of projects for Council’s <br />consideration. <br /> <br /> Mr. Watts said staff started with a list of 80 projects. He said the majority of <br />projects proposed address aging infrastructure in the following areas: roads, “green” city, <br />government and schools, parks and recreation, and bridges. He said tree planting and <br />workforce development projects are also included. <br /> <br /> Responding to a question from Ms. Edwards regarding the ranking of projects, <br />Mr. Watts said sustainability, providing immediate plans, projects that can be done fast <br />and ones that address Council priorities ranked highest. <br /> <br /> Mr. Taliaferro said until we get the criteria for the stimulus package projects it is <br />hard to set a priority. <br /> <br /> Mr. Norris asked if the projects were developed in coordination with Albemarle <br />County, and Mr. Watts said no. <br /> <br /> Mr. Norris said he thinks it is a great list, but he feels the one gap is clean energy. <br /> <br /> Mr. Watts said given what the City has already done, staff could not come up with <br />a new program that could be done in 90 days. <br /> <br /> Dr. Brown asked if investing in the Housing Authority and energy efficiency in <br />their buildings would be eligible projects. <br /> <br /> Mr. Norris said it would be hard to do in 90 days for the Housing Authority, but it <br />could be considered as a place holder. <br /> <br /> <br />