1990-12-17 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

108 community in Virginia which does not charge extra for trash collection for businesses. Ms. Slaughter recommended that feedback be requested from a cross section of the Charlottesville community regarding solid waste services and costs, including neighborhoods, businesses, and apartment owners. Mr. Toscano stated that he felt the real challenges existed in the commercial areas and that if an additional fee is charged, incentives should be considered for reductions in waste, perhaps by reducing personal property tax which he felt is a more regressive tax. Ms. Waters stated that she would not want to mislead people about the possibility of a reduction in taxes this year because of the increased costs associated with solid waste. Mr. Vandever stated that he would like to at least hold the tax burden constant, and would prefer to see a reduction in taxes. STAFF REPORT: BUDGET Mr. O'Connell discussed options for encouraging public comment at the budget public hearing scheduled for January 22nd. Ms. Slaughter stated that she would like Council to have a call-in show one hour before the January 22nd meeting. It was agreed that Ms. Slaughter and staff would work on details of the call-in show. Rev. Edwards recommended that information be provided to the public showing the percentage of the tax rate that goes for various services. Mr. Vandever noted concern about creating a panic mode among citizens that services will be reduced and stated that he felt ways needed to be examined to try to offer the same services with less money. DISCUSSION: DRUG COORDINATOR Mr. Hendrix stated that Council was scheduled to make a decision about who should appoint the Drug Coordinator and to whom the Coordinator would be responsible. Mr. Hendrix recommended that Council conduct the final interviews if it is a Council appointment. If the Drug Coordinator is hired by the City Manager, Mr. Hendrix recommended that representatives of the Drug Advisory Board and Council be involved in the initial screening, with the final selection made by the City Manager and Assistant City Manager. Rev. Edwards stated that he had decided to support the City Manager hiring and supervising the Drug Coordinator as he did not have time to supervise the position on a day to day basis. Ms. Slaughter stated that her suggestion that the Drug Coordinator be responsible to the Council was made because she wanted Council to take a leadership role in the anti-drug efforts. Ms. Waters noted concern with shifting employees to be responsible to Council and felt it was important to maintain the current organizational structure. It was agreed that the Mayor and Ms. Slaughter would participate in the initial interviews for the position.