2000-02-22 - Laserfiche WebLink

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COUNCIL CHAMBER - February 22, 2000 Council met in regular session on this date with the following members present: Mr. Caravafi, Mr. Cox, Ms. Daugherty, Ms. Richards, Mr. Toscano. PUBLIC Mr. Butch Duke, a resident of Trevilians and businessman in Charlottesville, supported the proposed tax abatement program and said he would like it to be as strong as possible. Mr. Hans Gersti, owner of property on 2206-2208 Fontaine Avenue, a resident of Nelson County, supported undergrounding utilities on Fontaine Avenue in conjunction with the Fontaine Avenue road project. Ms. Nancy Damon, 2407 Jefferson Park Avenue and a member of the Planning Commission, alerted Council to the fact that the Virginia Department of Transportation's most recent plan for Fontaine Avenue shows more being taken off at the corner than was originally approved. PRESENTATION: COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP FUND Ms. Daugherty explained that a college scholarship fund was proposed over a year ago by citizens, and a committee was formed to look more closely at the idea. The committee's objective is to assist City students in public schools in paying for two or four years of college or technical school. It has been proposed that the City make a one-time appropriation of $250,000, which could be matched by private funds, to use as an endowment. Such a program might help recruit teachers to public schools. Ms. Daugherty noted that the City staff was asked to look at the legality of such a program~ Ms. Rochelle SmaIt-Toney, Assistant City Manager, explained that the City Attorney's office has advised that no state enabling legislation exists for such a scholarship program, but funds could be appropriated to a charitable organization who could administer the program or to a state college or university. Ms. Daugherty noted that Mr. Caravati had suggested that the City seek state enabling legislation to allow it to begin such a program, and Mr. Toscano suggested requiring that students receiving scholarships be required to remm to Charlottesville to teach or for a technical job. Mr. Toscano asked how much could be distributed to how many students. Mr. Cox asked how many scholarships would be directed at students with a demonstrated need. Ms. Richards asked if staffhas found out about the City's ability to set restrictions on recipients, or if funds are appropriated to a charity, what would their capacity be to set restrictions. Ms. Small-Toney said that it may be difficult administratively to set restrictions, and further research needs to be done on this issue. Ms. Daugherty said that one suggestion was to offer a bonus t~om the fund if recipients sign up as teachers. Mr. Cox said he is uncomfortable at this time restricting the program to those who would be required to teach, and would prefer to allow them to come back m Charlottesville for any professional job. Ms. Daugherty agreed with Mr. Cox, and suggested that a couple of scholarships could be set aside for students that return.