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274 <br /> <br /> Mr. O'Connell explained that there is currently $200,000 in the capital budget to design <br />Washington Park, as well as $950,000 for pool reconstruction and associated costs. Mr. <br />O'Connelt said Council has the option of using capital contingency funds for the remaining <br />renovation, or can wait and do the renovation as part of the overall park plan. <br /> <br /> Mr. Cox said neighborhood parks become economic development projects to <br />neighborhoods and feels the budget should reflect a commitment to Washington Park. Mr. <br />Cox asked for information on where the $300,000 originally budgeted for Washington Park <br />was allocated. <br /> <br />PUBLIC [[EARING: PROPOSED FY 97-98 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK <br />GRANT AND HOME PROGRAMS <br /> <br /> Mr. Satyendra Huja, Director of Community Development, said that $739,000 is <br />anticipated in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds for next year, and 43% <br />is proposed for housing. Mr. Huja asked for guidance on whether the indirect costs of <br />$4,500 that have been charged to CDBG funds should continue. <br /> <br />The public hearing was opened. <br /> <br /> Ms. Kelly Eppley, Executive Director of AIDS/HIV Services Group, expressed <br />appreciation to Council for their support in the past and this year. <br /> <br /> Ms. Karen Kastner, 937 Belmont Avenue and a member of the Neighborhood Task <br />Force, encourage funding to improve houses for ownership and business improvements and <br />to focus on safety. Ms. Kastner supported continuing Belmont as a priority neighborhood. <br />Ms. Kastner added that she hopes representatives from each CDBG neighborhood will be <br />involved in the CDBG review process group. <br /> <br />As there were no further speakers, the public hearing was closed. <br /> <br /> Ms. Daugherty noted that there is a big emphasis on rental housing units in the <br />Consolidated Plan draft which she feels should not be included since the Council's priority has <br />shifted. <br /> <br /> Mr. Cox said that CDBG policies have not been aimed at uplifting CDBG <br />neighborhoods and he looks forward to revamping the process. Mr. Cox said he hopes <br />another way can be found to fund sidewalks in CDBG neighborhoods other than CDBG <br />funds. <br /> <br /> Mr. Cox asked whether the CDBG administrative and planning budget could be <br />reduced. <br /> <br /> Mr. Toscano asked whether administrative costs would decline if a smaller group of <br />programs were funded in the future. Mr. Toscano also asked if there are CDBG <br />administrative costs in the Charlottesville Redevelopment and Housing Authority that could <br />be reduced. <br /> <br />PRESENTATION: DIRECTOR OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT <br /> <br /> Mr. Jim Gahres, Director of Economic Development, gave a presentation entitled <br />"Charlottesville is Open for Business," and reviewed past and current projects throughout the <br />City in which the Department has been involved <br /> <br /> Mr. Cox said he feels Cherry Avenue would be a good location for technology <br />businesses, lVlr. Cox asked if the number of retained versus created jobs and a list of income <br />ranges could be provided by Mr. Gahres. <br /> <br /> <br />