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41 NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE COUNCIL WILL BE HELD ON Thursday, March 21, 1996 AT 7:00 p.m. IN THE Basement Conference Room THE PROPOSED AGENDA IS AS FOLLOWS: Budget Work Session BY ORDER OF THE MAYOR BY Jeanne Cox (signed) BASEMENT CONFERENCE ROOM - March 21, 1996 Council met in special session on this date with the following members present: Ms. Daugherty, Rev. Edwards, Ms. Slaughter, Mr. Toscano, Mr. Vandever. Mr. Toscano noted that $189,572 has been set aside for a Council reserve, $47,712 is expected from increased assessments, and an additional $26,556 in funding for police is anticipated. In addition, state cuts in the Business and Professional License Tax were not made, leaving $500,000 unbudgeted. Due to the likelihood that the General Assembly will reconsider cutting the BPOL tax next year, Mr. Toscano cautioned that these funds should not be used for operating expenses. Mr. O'Connell said that the schools are eligible for $110,000 in state funds for the current and additional four-year old classroom, but a 50% local match is required. In addition, the schools have been informed that they will receive 15% less in federal funds for the Title I program, but feel this reduction can be covered by the existing school budget. Ms. Slaughter asked staff to explore whether the state money could be made available to another agency to mn a four-year old program, Ms. Helen Poore. Transit Manager, provided a summary of staff recommendations for the upcoming budget: eliminate Route 5 and the north end of Route 8, to be replaced by a demand-response service; eliminate Saturday service on East Market; increase fares to $0.75, increase reduced fares to $0.35, and offer annual passes at reduced rates and passes to employers at reduced rates; expand service to Walmart and Pantops, with funding for the County's share reserved by the Board of Supervisors; increase frequency of Route 7; and increase commuter period frequency for Routes 4 and 6. Ms. Poore explained that staff are recommending that JAUNT continue to provide paratransit service since JAUNT's budget has been revised downward and due to the fact that the City's lift-equipped buses will not be ready until the summer of 1997. Ms. Poore added that the buses will be delayed because of an assembly line shutdown, but this delay has given staff the opportunity to look at other alternatives and recommend the purchase of three electric buses and ten low floor clean burning diesel buses. Mr. Vandever said he tentatively supports staff option (e), which includes the following: eliminate routes recommended by staff, increase fares, add demand response service and increase frequency on Route 7, since funding is available for this option. Responding to questions from Mr. Toscano Ms. Poore said that traffic reduction is the primary factor driving the expansion to Walmart and Pantops, and the ridership of tiffs route would be assessed every year. Councilors indicated tentative support for option (e). Ms: Slaughter said the new routes will need to be marketed. Ms. Slaughter said she would like the opportunity to revisit the CTS option to increase frequency of two additional bus routes based on availability of funds.