2009-09-29 - Laserfiche WebLink

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NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CHARLOTTESVILLE CITY COUNCIL WILL BE HELD on Tuesday, September 29, 2009 AT 5:00 p.m. IN THE Basement Conference Room. THE PROPOSED AGENDA IS AS FOLLOWS: Council Priorities and Work Plan BY ORDER OF THE MAYOR BY Jeanne Cox BASEMENT CONFERENCE ROOM – September 29, 2009 Council met in special session on this date with the following members present: Dr. Brown, Ms. Edwards, Mr. Huja, Mr. Norris, Mr. Taliaferro. CURRENT FISCAL ENVIRONMENT Mr. O’Connell said staff is in the process of assessing the impacts of additional State cuts. He said revenues are flat, though they are meeting projections, and departments are staying within their budgets; budget guidelines will be recommended to Council in December; upcoming real estate assessments are expected to be flat; and while the current fiscal environment is a changing picture, the reserves that were set aside in the budget should help get us through. REVIEW AND UPDATE ON COUNCIL PRIORITIES AND WORK PLAN Ms. Leslie Beauregard, Director of Budget and Performance Management, said that a Work Plan was developed based on Council’s eight vision areas. Connected Community Mr. Huja asked about the CTS ridership to Charlottesville High School this year to date, and Mr. Watterson, Transit Manager, said that information is not available for CHS, but Route 7 has had just under 7,000 riders year to date compared with 5,700 last year. Dr. Brown said there has been talk of new ways to do the bus routes, and he thinks it would be valuable to take a close look at that. He suggested bringing in experts on transit and partnering with other organizations rather than looking at the issue in- house or with a main-stream consultant. Mr. Huja said his concern is that the way the routes are structured now we cannot increase the frequency. He said the north side of the City is not covered and we do not have efficient routes because we have responded to individual requests. Mr. Norris supported Dr. Brown’s idea, noting that it may support what we have. Mr. Watterson said he can include research done on other localities in his nd November 2 report to Council. Mr. Huja said the MPO is still pursing a Regional Transit Authority, and that may require money from the City and County ($10,000 to $20,000). He said he would support providing the funding only if both parties put up money. He said they are also hoping to secure grants. There was general agreement by Council to put some money up for a RTA if the County agrees to do so. Dr. Brown asked if we are building more sidewalks than we used to, and Mr. Jim Tolbert, Director of Neighborhood Development Services, said yes, we are building the