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23 Mr. Caravati said he sees one benefit of the proposal to be adding stability. Mr. Cox said he thinks the technology zone is a great proposal, and asked il'Mr. Watts has gotten the endorsement of the idea from those in technology businesses or on the Technology Council. Mr. Watts said he has received a tremendous amount of discussion and feedback. Mr. Watts said he cannot guarantee that businesses will make their decision to locate in Charlottesville based on this program. Mr. Cox agreed, but said that it makes for an enabling enviromem. Ms. Richards said that the Piedmont Technology Council is interested, especially for new businesses. Mr. Cox said he would like to know if it would be possible to assure that existing residents benefit from this, and suggested this may be able to be done at the training center. The meeting was adjourned. COUNCIL CHAMBER - March 20, 2000 Council met in regular session on this date with the following members present: Mr. Caravati, Mr. Cox, Ms. Daugherty, Ms. Richards, Mr. Toscano. PUBLIC Mr. Richard Collins, 108 Wilson Court, said he does not believe it is tree that the City will have to pay the Virginia Department of Transportation $1,5 million if the Meadowcreek Parkway- project is cancelled. Mr. Collins said there are ample precedents and cited cases in Richmond and Virginia Beach where the money was put back into the cities' accounts. Mr. Collins said there could be a penalty and in the worst case the City's account would be credited. PUBLIC HEARING: ANNUAL TAX LEVY Mr. O'Connell said that the tax levy is proposed to remain the same and assessmems have increased an average of 5.5%. The public hearing was opened. Mr. Scott Bums, 209 Monte Vista Avenue, said he favors lowering the tax rate to help blue collar homeowners. Mr. Bums said he is against further Section 8 housing proposals in the Fry's Spring neighborhood. Mr. Bums said jobs are plentiful and the City should cut social spending. Mr. Burns said he favors spending money on the schools, parks and recreation, police, courts, infrastructure and trash collection and condenmed the minority scholarship program proposed. Mr. John Pfaltz, 1503 Rugby Road, said that the Republican Council candidates urge Council to reduce the tax rate. With the $3 million surplus, Mr. Pfaltz said taxes can be reduced somewhat with no ~ to cut services, Mr. Pfaltz said City taxes are 54% higher than County taxes and it is the perception that businesses and citizens are moving to the County because taxes are lower. Mr. Bern Ewert, St. Anne's Road, said that ifthe City is to become a world class city it needs to protect its infrastructure, and said that the downtown mall bricks need repair and there are $80 million in additional unfunded capital needs. Mr. Ewert said that if the tax rate is cut the City will be less able to fund these infrastructure needs. Mr.