1999-03-15 - Laserfiche WebLink

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79 PUBLIC HEARING: CITY MANAGER'S PROPOSED FY 99-00 BUDGET Ms. Linda Peacock, Assistant City Manager, said that the $69.3 million budget is a 7.5% increase over last year's budget, thanks mostly to a healthy economy and increased State funding. Ms. Peacock said that expenditures in the budget address priorities set by Council at its fall retreat. The .public hearing was opened. Ms. Doris Glick, 225 Turkey Ridge Road, Director of the University of Virginia Community Nursing Center, expressed support for funding to continue the nursing clinics at public housing sites which Ms. Glick said help create healthy communities. Ms. Glick presented letters of support from Delegate Paul Harris, Delegate Mitchell Van Yahres, Senator Emily Couric, and public housing residents. Mr. Quinton Johnson, Assistant Dean of Student Affairs in the U. Va. School of Nursing, supporting the nursing clinic proposal. Mr. Johnson said that the program provides many intangible benefits and the nursing students are deeply committed to public housing residents and bring their experiences back to share with others. Mr. Johnson said that the program provides hope to those who need services. Mr. Bernhardt Leipelt, a resident of Crescent Halls, said that the nursing staff at the clinics is professional and friendly and the residents need the service. Mr. Leipelt said they have a small but creative staff. Mr. Randy Williams, speaking on behalf of residents of Crescent Halls, said that residents of 105 apartments depend on the nursing clinic and most who need the clinic are not able to come to the meeting to support it. Ms. Jean Lee, a resident of Crescent Halls, said that the nursing clinic is needed as they help make doctor's appointments, find volunteers to help residents clean their apartments, and help with finances. Ms. Lee said the staff is always kind. Ms. Mary Morris, a resident of Crescent Halls, supported the nursing clinic. Mr. Jim Jennish, a resident of Crescent Halls, said that his doctor recommended that he move from Culpeper to Crescent Halls to get better medical attention and he is able to have his blood pressure checked every day at the nursing clinic. Ms. Linda Sparrow, a resident of Crescent Halls, said that she often panics and the nursing clinics give her great peace and comfort. Ms. Deborah Mawyer, a new Crescent Halls resident, said that living at Crescent Halls has given her a chance at a normal life and the nursing clinic students help get her medicine when she runs out of money. Ms. Anita Heisterman, Nurse Manager of the Nursing Clinics, read a letter from Amanda Kenney, a resident of Crescent Halls, saying that her transition to Crescent Hall has been smooth thanks to the nursing staff, the number of doctor visits has been cut due to the presence of the clinic, and the nursing students help read her mail. Ms. Heisterman asked that members of the audience who support the clinic stand and many in the audience stood. Mr. John Horsnby, 1401 Rugby Road, chairman of the Music Resource Center, asked people in the audience who support the Center to stand and many stood. Mr. Homsby said that the most effective programs for dealing with problems facing youth are those that give youth something to do. The Music Resource Center provides a place for youth to explore, play music, take lessons and record music. The Center was started after surveys were conducted with over 600 students and input was gotten from teachers, social workers, and government officials. The facility was renovated and opened in June of 1995. The Center was visited by 480 different students last year. Mr. Hornsby asked that Council provide funding to continue the current staffing level at the Center.