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172 <br /> <br /> Ms. Richards said that the General Assembly must approve such an district, a <br />local referendum is required, and local taxes must be reduced an equal amount to the new <br />tax in the first year. <br /> <br />Mr. Cox said the City and County legislators could take the issue forward. <br /> <br /> Mr. Lynch said this would put funding for transit on stable footing. <br /> <br /> Mr. Caravati said Council will have to prioritize recommendation in the Plan <br />during the budget process. <br /> <br /> Mr. Toscano said council needs to put the issue before the public. <br /> <br /> Mr. O'Connell asked if there is consensus on the fare free trolley, and Councilors <br />said yes. <br /> <br /> Mr. Cox said he cannot see finding $500,000 this year, and suggested continuing <br />the trolley and changes to routes 4 and 6 <br /> <br />Ms. Richards said she thinks restructuring and adding staff is needed. <br /> <br />Mr. Cox said he would favor adding staff if they could go after grants. <br /> <br />Mr. O'Connell said that staff will be making recommendations in the budget. <br /> <br />Mr. Cox asked what a fare free zone for the whole City would look like and cost. <br /> <br /> Ms. Poore said this would have an impact on JAUNT, and the cost was estimated <br />at over $1 million for the City and urban County. <br /> <br />Mr. Cox said this would increase ridership and decrease traffic. <br /> <br /> Mr. Sampson noted that buses would have to be added to handle the double <br />ridership in a single year. <br /> <br />Ms. l~dchards noted that idea would not increase or improve service in any way. <br /> <br /> Mr. Sampson said that the biggest thing he heard during the study was that <br />reliability and then expansion are the most important issues, noting there were not <br />complaints about the fare. <br /> <br /> Mr. Lynch asked about support for the eco-pass, and it was the consensus of <br />Council to support it. <br /> <br /> Ms. Thomas said that the County has immediate needs with JAUNT and will be <br />working on the issue. <br /> <br /> On motion by Mr. Toscano, seconded by Mr. Lynch, Council voted to meet in <br />closed session for the purpose of considering the acquisition of real property in the <br />Emmet Street and Water Street areas for a public purpose, when discussion in an open <br />meeting would adversely affect the bargaining position or negotiating strategy of the <br />City, as authorized by Section 2.1-344(A)(3) of the Virginia Code. <br /> <br /> Council reconvened in open session and, on motion by Mr. Toscano, seconded by <br />Mr. Lynch, approved the following certification of closed meeting by the following vote. <br />Ayes: Mr. Caravati, Mr. Cox, Mr. Lynch, Ms. Richards, Mr. Toscano. Noes: None. <br /> <br /> WItEREAS, the City Council has convened a closed meeting on this date pursuant <br />to an affirmative recorded vote and in accordance with the provisions of the Virginia <br />Freedom of Information Act; and <br /> <br />WHEREAS, Section 2.344.1 of the Code of Virginia requires a certification by the <br /> <br /> <br />