1996-01-16 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mr. Toscano recommended that the City Planning Commission send a copy of the report to the County Planning Commission, that copies of the report be made available at the public forum in February, and that the issue of joint planning be brought up with the Board of Supervisors at the next joint meeting. Mr. Toscano said he is not sure that a task force is the way to move forward with the issue, and suggested the possibility of charging the City and County Planning Commission with figuring out how to accomplish the goals. Ms. Slaughter supported placing the issue on the agenda with the County, and also expressed an interest in addressing the immediate issue of growth planned south of Charlottesville, Ms. Slaughter also asked staff to look into other models of joint planning in similar communities in the country such as Charlotte and Mecklenburg County, Knoxville, and Chattanooga. RESOLUTION: AUTHORIZING SCHOOL CONSOLIDATION STUDY Mr. O'Connell explained that a major component of exploring reversion is the schools and the impact that consolidation would have on both systems. The resolution would authorize Education Consulting Services to study: financial impacts, program comparisons between the two systems, issues and problems that might arise, differences in per-pupil cost, buildings and related debt. The study is proposed to take approximately two months and cost $15,000. Ms. Slaughter asked to what extent an analysis of existing programs and study of parallel programs will be done, and Mr. O'Connell replied that the primary goal of the study is to look at the costs involved and the potential savings and to provide a listing of programs and their differences. Mr. Vandever said that the state legislation being pursued to restrict the City's ability to revert to town status requires the City to begin the school study, but noted that he feels there is value to the study even if reversion is not pursued. Ms. Daugherty agreed with Mr. Vandever and said she thinks the City needs to go ahead with the study. Mr. Vandever made a motion to approve the school consolidation study and Ms. Daugherty seconded the motion. Mr. Toscano said that he initially thought that the school study might be premature as he feels that progress has been made, especially in the areas of education and affordable housing, and can continue to be made with the County. Mr, Toscano said that he continues to maintain a healthy skepticism about reversion and is not convinced that reversion solves the problems in the areas of the schools, housing, and social services. Mr. Toscano noted that the moritorium proposed by the City that would have allow negotiations was rejected out of hand by the Board of Supervisors. Mr. Toscano continued that the facts demonstrate that the city government is lean and responsive, the schools are high quality, and the economy is strong and growing. Mr. Toscano said he will vote for the school study because the County has rejected the moritorium and has taken active initiatives to remove reversion as an option, thereby forcing the city to vote to keep its options open. Mr. Toscano said he is not ready to vote for reversion, but will vote for the study. Ms. Daugherty agredd that a vote for the school study is not a vote for reversion. The resolution, authorizing the school consolidation study was approved by the following vote. Ayes: Ms. Daugherty, Ms. Slaughter, Mr. Toscano, Mr. Vandever. Noes: Rev. Edwards. -:: WHEREAS, preliminary assessments show that reversion to town status makes little sense for the City of Charlottesville unless the City school system is consolidated and combined with the school~sy[Xe:m of Albemarle County; and