1997-05-05 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

12 Ms. Daugherty seconded the motion, and noted that Charlottesville has man), tourist attractions and activities available, but they need to be advertised. Mr. Cox expressed his support for increasing the tax. The ordinance entitled "AN ORDiNANCE AMENDiNG AND REORDAINING SECTION 30-253 OF ARTICLE IX OF CHAPTER 30 OF THE CHARLOTTESVILLE CITY CODE, 1990, AS AMENDED, RELATiNG TO AN iNCREASE iN THE TRANSIENT OCCUPANCY TAX" was offered and carried over to the next meeting for consideration. Ms. Slaughter thanked the persons who spoke at the public hearing, and agreed that more tourism marketing is needed. Ms. Slaughter noted that this is an area where Charlottesville and Albemarle County can join to attract visitors. RESOLUTION: JU'~NILE DETENTION HOME Ms. Linda Peacock, Assistant City Manager, reviewed the results of the Juvenile Detention Planning study, including location, size, design and programming. Ms. Peacock said that the study projected a need for 40 additional beds at the current time, with 72 needed by 2015. Ms. Peacock said that a local facility would have access to other programming in the community, and could become a community assessment center. Ms. Peacock said that renovation and expansion of the Staunton facility was studied as well as building a facility in the Charlottesville At'ea. Ms. Peacock said the resolution requests that the State provide the maximum amount of funding for the facility. Ms. Daugherty said that she supports the resolution and building a facility in the Charlottesville area, and expressed concern about putting children "out of mind" in a crowded facility away from creative services available here. Ms. Peacock said that juvenile service providers feel that the distance of the Staunton facility prevents families from participating in programs that could benefit them. Ms. Richards asked how the funding for the facility would fit into the five year capital improvement plan. Ms. Peacock said that the facility would need to be programmed into the plan, and the cost could be spread out over several years. Ms. Richards expressed concern that the proposed facility would compete for school and neighborhoods projects in the capital improvement program, and noted that it costs considerably more to build a facility rather than expand the one at Staunton. Mr. Cox expressed concern that the needs assessment has taken the "worse case" posture, and wondered if consideration shouldn't be given to the possibility that the trend will reverse. Mr. Cox said his impression is that the report perpetuates what it was asked to find, and represents an extremely inflated response. Mr. Cox said he feels it would be better to direct money to other programs in the community that would prevent jUvenile crime. Mr. Cox said it is his understanding that juvenile crime is decreasing. Ms. Peacock said that while the juvenile crime rate is decreasing, the crimes are more serious and the stays are longer. Mr. Gouldman explained that juvenile crime reports have omitted runaways being reported which has decreased the number, but court records show that juvenile prosecutions have increased. Mr. Gouldman also noted that an increase in the juvenile population is projected. Ms. Slaughter said the statistics are important, but the views of the juvenile caregivers are also important. Ms. Slaughter noted that Judge Berry called the current arrangement a "grave situation."