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159 <br /> <br />disintegrating due to drug use of<family members. Mr. <br />Hendrix reviewed the major recommendations of the Task Force. <br /> <br /> Rev. Edwards questioned whether the Council should <br />hold a work session with the Drug Task Force. <br /> <br /> Ms. Waters stated that she felt one of the crucial <br />decisions is what should be included in this year's budget <br />and questioned whether Mr. Hendrix should bring priority <br />recommendations back to Council at the next meeting. <br /> <br /> Mr. Buck noted that no supporting documentation for the <br />requests of the Task Force had been provided. <br /> <br /> Ms. Waters stated that she felt in some cases <br />documentation would be difficult. <br /> <br /> Mr. Buck stated that he felt Council needed some <br />objective data and information in order to evaluate and make <br />decisions. <br /> <br /> Mr. Vandever stated that he had no sense of the <br />priorities of the Task Force if only part of the <br />recommendations can be funded and was confused over the <br />sources of the funds. <br /> <br /> Ms. Waters requested clarification about the community <br />based approach to policing and the proposed social services <br />center. <br /> <br /> Mr. Buck questioned whether research had been done <br />regarding what other communities are doing to address the <br />problem. <br /> <br /> Mr. Hendrix replied that very little was available from <br />other communities, especially with regard to success rates of <br />programs. <br /> <br /> Mr. Towe questioned how much additional .the schools will <br />be able to take on with increased demand to educate students <br />regarding drugs and other community issues and stated that <br />he hoped new recreation programs could be started soon. <br /> <br /> Ms. Dora Brooks, a member of the Drug Task Force, stated <br />that the recommendations were generated by what the Task <br />Force heard from the community and that little documentation <br />existed. Ms. Brooks noted that the Task Force did not expect <br />that all the recommendations would be funded. <br /> <br /> A work session with the Drug Task Force was scheduled <br />for Mondayt January 8th. <br /> <br /> Mr. Buck requested that staff provide any information on <br />available funding for next year as soon as possible. <br /> <br />STAFF REPORT: LEGISLATIVE ISSUES <br /> <br /> Mr. Gouldman stated that staff recommended that a <br /> Charter change be sought to allow civil penalties for the <br /> illegal demolition of historic properties and to deatwith <br /> gas line relocation costs. Mr. Gouldman stated that the <br /> majority of the legislative issues supported by the Virginia <br /> Municipal League were non-controversial and could generally <br /> be adopted by the City. Mr. Gouldman stated that the City's <br /> new ordinance regarding boarded up buildings appeared to be <br /> addressing the problem and staff recommended that the General <br /> Assembly not be approached to make changes in this area this <br /> year. <br /> <br /> Mr. Towe stated that he would like to. see the City <br />pursue providing City tags free to volunteer fire and rescue <br />squad personnel and Mr. Hendrix noted that this could be done <br />without new state legislation. <br /> <br /> <br />