Laserfiche WebLink
98 <br /> <br />begin meeting in April and to report back on their findings by May 14. Mr. Morris said <br />that out of 955 employees, very few Hispanics and Asians employed by the City make <br />over $15,000 a year. Mr. Moms said little progress has been made in the Police <br />Department, and he feels racial slurs and nepotism occur in different departments. Mr. <br />Morris said he made a freedom of information request to the Department of Human <br />Resources about pay scale by race, but has not been given the information. Mr. Morris <br />said he feels he has been given the runaround. <br /> <br /> Mr. Wyatt Johnson said that he is a member of the Ridge Street Task Force and <br />Ridge Street Neighborhood Association, but is speaking as an individual and lifelong <br />resident of Charlottesville. Mr. Johnson said he is concerned about so many groups <br />speaking about Ridge Street who do not live on Ridge Street. Mr. Johnson said that <br />representatives from Brass, Inc. spoke to the Ridge Street Neighborhood Association and <br />he feels that a store such as Target would be good for the neighborhood. Mr. Johnson <br />asked that Council consult with those who live on Ridge Street when they consider the <br />matter. <br /> <br /> Referring to comments made by Mr. Morris, Mr. O'Connell said that there are <br />policies throughout the City that need to be looked at, and made assurances that he will <br />look into all the concerns expressed and will report back by June 1~t. Mr. O'ConnelI <br />noted that Mr. Galloway Beck, Director of Human Resources, will be making a report <br />later in the meeting about efforts that are being made. <br /> <br /> Mr. Cox said he thinks Council needs to have more data on the Brass, Inc. <br />proposal and he hopes Council can have a discussion about how to proceed and how to <br />have an objective analysis of the proposal. <br /> <br /> Ms. Daugherty noted that a majority of Council has come out against the Brass, <br />Inc. proposal and that she wrote a letter to the Albemarle County Planning Commission <br />stating problems with the proposal and held a press conference opposing the project. Ms. <br />Daugherty agreed that a public discussion of the issue by Council would be beneficial. <br /> <br /> Ms. Richards called for a jointly funded economic impact study with Albemarle <br />County about the Brass, Inc~ proposal. <br /> <br />It was agreed that the matter would be discussed further at the end of the meeting. <br /> <br />PUBLIC HEARING: ANNUAL TAX RATE <br /> <br /> Mr. O'Connell explained that the annual real estate and personal property tax rates <br />are proposed to remain unchanged, at $1.11 and $4.20. <br /> <br />The public hearing was opened. <br /> <br /> Ms. Eleanor Biasioli, 622 Evergreen Avenue, said that most people do not realize <br />how much they pay in taxes when they are all taken into consideration, and noted the <br />large increases in tax assessments. Ms. Biasioli asked Council to give real estate tax <br />incentives to encourage people to buy homes and to improve their homes. Ms. Biasioli <br />asked for Council to cut their wish list. <br /> <br /> Mr. Jason Halbot, a resident of Belmont, asked Council to follow Germany's <br />example and reduce the real estate and other taxes and put a major tax on solid waste. <br /> <br />As there were no further speakers, the public hearing was closed. <br /> <br />PUBLIC HEARING: PROPOSED FY 99-00 BUDGET <br /> <br /> Ms. Daugherty reviewed changes tentatively made by Council during their budget <br />work sessions to the City Manager's proposed budget: additional funds for a Disabilities <br />Coordinator for MACAA; $31,000 to the public housing nursing clinics, contingent on an <br />equal mmch from the Housing Authority and double match by the University, and <br />creation of a committee with representatives from Council, the Housing Authority and <br /> <br /> <br />