Laserfiche WebLink
270 <br /> <br /> Mr. O'Connell said 24% to 25% of employees in the Police Department are <br />African-American, but he did not kmow the percentage in the Fire Department. <br /> <br /> Mr. Cox said he feels the new positions will provide opportunities for <br />African-Ainericans. <br /> <br /> Responding to a question from Mr. Cox, Mr. O'Connell said there are currently no <br />African-American housing inspectors. Mr. O'Connell noted that an additional housing <br />inspector will allow a regular cycle of inspections. <br /> <br /> Mr. Cox said that he feels the housing inspector will be a very positive addition, but to <br />be effective the person has to have sensitivity to the area in which they are working. Mr. Cox <br />said he feels it is important to find an African-American for the position, and to train an <br />individual if necessary. Mr. Cox added that another important issue is to have a rental <br />occupancy program. <br /> <br />Mr. O'Connell said Council will be provided information on rental occupancy programs. <br /> <br /> Mr. O'Connell said that there is a Council reserve of $411,000, as well as the additional <br />$197,000 additional expected from real estate taxes that is undesignated. <br /> <br /> Mr. O'Connell said that more emphasis is being put on measuring effectiveness of City <br />programs, especially new efforts. <br /> <br /> Responding to a question from Mr. Cox, Ms. Peacock said that agency increases are <br />based on joint City/County budget review team recommendations for cost of living increases. <br />Ms. Peacock gave an overview of unfunded agency requests: AHIP ($22,000 for outreach <br />and administratioff); Jail and Therapeutic Community Program (staff feel lack of funding can <br />be resolved with increased revenues there or that there are adequate jail funds available); <br />Legal Aid (additional support person requested); Free Clinic ($15,000 in CDBG funds are <br />recommended); JAUNT (fully funded except $12,000, but the City will assume the service in <br />Greenbrier); JABA (concern was expressed that funds last year were used for non-approved <br />programs and that the City's share for RSVP is disproportionately large and is not drawing <br />down the match that was originally thought); Library (sufficient funding will be available <br />without funding for position at North Branch) and PVCC College Neighborhood Center. <br /> <br /> Mr. Leon Churchill, Assistant City Manager, explained that the fund raising efforts by <br />PVCC were unsuccessful and the program is being re-examined. Keeping a presence at the <br />site, with leadership at PVCC, is being explored, with the Neighborhood Center being more <br />of a satellite site. <br /> <br /> Ms. Peacock said that staff is looking at sources of funding and users of the M. O. <br />Mohr Center and W. Main Street Center, noting that the City is the only direct contributor <br />from the area for these two programs. <br /> <br /> Ms. Peacock said that the Health District was originally underfunded by $100,000 <br />based on projections of state funds, salary increases, and loss of federal funds, and it now <br />appears that an additional 444,000 may be needed to maintain current services. Ms. Peacock <br />noted that the City currently funds certain Health Department programs above the state <br />mandated levels. <br /> <br /> Ms. Peacock explained that a late request was made by TJHIP and Charlottesville <br />Housing Foundation for general administrative support for the Steppingstone House <br />program, but is not recommended for funding by either the City or County. <br /> <br /> Mr. Cox said he feels TJHIP and CHF should be looking to the County and others in <br />the region for funding. <br /> <br /> Ms, Slaughter said there may be instances in the future where the City supports efforts <br />of affordable housing in the region, but not in Charlottesville. <br /> <br /> <br />