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273 <br /> <br />officers run the risk of retaliation when they come forward and he feels issues in the Police <br />Department need to be resolved. Mr. Webb supported an independent study of the Police <br />Department. <br /> <br /> Mr. O'Connell said that he continues to believe that the police are doing a good job and <br />he is committed to talking with employees about issues within the Department. Mr. <br />O'Connell said he is open to a consultant-type process and will make a decision about how to <br />proceed in the next 30 days. <br /> <br />PUBLIC HEARING: ANNUAL TAX LEVY <br /> <br />Mr. O'Connell explained that the annual tax levy is proposed to remain at $1.11. <br />The public heating was opened. <br /> <br /> Mr. Kenneth Jackson, 208 5th Street, S.W., expressed concern that assessments in his <br />neighborhood have not wavered at all which makes the housing market bad. <br /> <br /> Mr. Clyde Gouldman, City Attorney, said that real estate assessments can be appealed, <br />and that values must be set equal to the fair market value as a result of sales of comparable <br />properties in a neighborhood. <br /> <br /> Mr. Cox said that the value of his property went down and he is becoming increasingly <br />concerned about tax assessment in minority neighborhoods and the lack of income diversity <br />in those neighborhoods. <br /> <br />As there were no further speakers, the public heating was dosed. <br /> <br />PUBLIC HEARING: CITY MANAGER'S PROPOSED FY 97-98 BUDGET <br /> <br />Mr. O'Connell reviewed the proposed budget. <br /> <br />The public heating was opened. <br /> <br /> Mr. Bruce Kirtley, President of the Thomas Jefferson Housing Improvement Program <br />(TJHIP), which has joined with the Charlottesville Housing Foundation to provide <br />homeownership opportunities, asked Council for $50,000 to defray administrative costs to <br />make up for a lack of private funding. <br /> <br /> Mr. Brad Barnhill, Shale Place, presented questions on the budget and asked that he be <br />provided responses in writing. <br /> <br /> Mr. Joy Johnson, 816-E Hardy Drive, said that she attended the Parks Advisory <br />Committee meeting and is very concern with funding for Washington Park pool <br />reconstruction and renovation of the park. Ms. Johnson suggested that the project be fully <br />funded. <br /> <br /> Ms. Leslie Harris, 767 Prospect Avenue, requested that $1.3 million be allocated to <br />Washington Park. <br /> <br /> Mr. John Freeman, Acting Executive Director of Children, Youth and Family Services, <br />said he appreciates continued City funding for the three programs that are housed there. Mr. <br />Freeman noted that the agency requested less funding this year based on restructuring and <br />changes in the 'funding formula. <br /> <br /> Mr. Kevin Lynch, 609 Locust Avenue, supporting adding money for traffic calming <br />efforts such as bike lanes and focus on pedestrian needs. <br /> <br />Ms. Joan Woodfolk asked for full funding for Washington Park. <br /> <br />As there were no further speakers, the public heating was dosed. <br /> <br /> <br />