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9 <br /> Mr. Jim Moore, 1213 Hazel Street, said Council should consider developing <br />policies for the downturn fund, what triggers the use of the fund, and what is the intent if <br />it is not used. He said Council should be prepared with a catastrophic plan. He said it <br />appears that the CIP no longer really represents a five-year plan. He said if the policy is <br />changing it should be noted. <br /> <br /> Mr. Richard Will, 1813 Meadowcreek Heights Road, said funds for the <br />Meadowcreek Parkway should be used instead on schools, housing, public transit, the <br />SPCA and Social Services as they are higher priorities. <br /> <br /> As there were no further speakers, the public hearing was closed. <br /> <br /> Dr. Brown said he agrees with Ms. O’Brien about accountability for the <br />affordable housing funds. He said he would like to move toward a system where it is <br />treated like other parts of the budget, with a proposed program coming forward first. Dr. <br />Brown asked the City Manager to respond to Mr. Moore’s comments about the CIP. <br /> <br /> Mr. O’Connell said the CIP is the same as it has always been, a five-year planning <br />document, with the first year of funding being the official designation of funds. He said <br />what is new this year is that staff is looking at operating budgets for a three-year time <br />period. <br /> <br /> Mr. Taliaferro said he is not prepared to remove the matching funds in the CIP for <br />the Meadowcreek Parkway now. He said it is unresolved about how much we would <br />have to pay VDOT back. He said we also need to clarify whether the County section can <br />be connected to Melbourne Road. <br /> <br /> Ms. Edwards agreed that transparency is important with the special funds, and she <br />wonders if the efficiency position would provide a better way to be more accountable. <br />She asked for Mr. Brown to comment on the SPCA and the City’s legal responsibility. <br /> <br /> Mr. Brown said State law requires that the City have a pound and there are <br />various ways to fulfill that obligation. He said the City can operate one itself or can <br />contract with a private organization. He said there is an agreement with the City, County <br />and SPCA on the funding formula. <br /> <br /> Dr. Brown said he is not in favor of the efficiency position at this time. He said <br />he supports the additional request by the SPCA, and said he would like to continue to <br />have a joint agreement with them that includes the County. <br /> <br /> Mr. Huja agreed. <br /> <br /> Mr. Taliaferro suggested that staff renegotiate with the SPCA. <br /> <br /> Mr. O’Connell noted that staff has been negotiating with the SPCA for months. <br /> <br /> Mr. Norris said he supports removing the matching funds for the Meadowcreek <br />Parkway from the CIP. He said it is important that there be clear and transparent policies <br />for special funds. He said it is a myth and error in a news report about the lack of <br />accountability for the affordable housing funds. <br /> <br />ORDINANCE <br />: ANNUAL TAX LEVY <br /> <br /> Mr. O’Connell noted that the tax rates remain the same. He said the new part of <br />the ordinance is the discount for energy efficiency. <br /> <br /> On motion by Mr. Huja, seconded by Dr. Brown, the ordinance entitled “AN <br />ORDINANCE TO ESTABLISH THE ANNUAL TAX LEVY ON VARIOUS CLASSES <br />OF PROPERTY FOR THE PAYMENT OF INTEREST AND RETIREMENT OF THE <br />CITY DEBT, FOR THE SUPPORT OF THE CITY GOVERNMENT AND CITY <br />SCHOOLS, AND FOR OTHER PUBLIC PURPOSES” was offered and carried over to <br />the next meeting for consideration. <br /> <br />