2002-04-01 - Laserfiche WebLink

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COUNCIL CHAMBER - April 1, 2002 Council met in regular session on this date with the following members present: Mr. Caravati, Mr. Cox, Mr. Lynch, Ms. Richards, Mr. Toscano. AWARDS/RECOGNITIONS: MACROSOFT SYSTEMS, INC.; FAIR HOUSING MONTH PROCLAMATION; CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION MONTH PROCLAMATION Mr. Caravati presented the City's Business Recognition Award to Mr. Alan Haversan of Macrosoft Systems, Inc. Mr. Caravati presented the Child Abuse Prevention Month Proclamation to Ms. Tamar Goodale. Mr. Caravati read the Fair Housing Month Proclamation. Mr. Caravati presented an official sash to Mr. Toscano that was given by the Mayor of Charlottesville's sister city, Poggio a Caiano, Italy, during a recent visit. PUBLIC Ms. Jane Murphy, 408 E. Market St., speaking on behalf of residents at 500 Court Square and 408 E. Market St., asked Council to provide some relief from the increasingly high fee residents have to pay to park at the parking garage. Ms. Murphy also read a letter from Ms. Louise Whitehead of 408 E. Market St. who said that she depends on the handicapped parking spaces in the parking garage, but the fees keep rising. Ms. Sheri Iachetta, Voter Registrar, and Kim Kirchoff, with Hart Intercivic, said that new voting machines will be tested during the May Council elections and will be available in a number of sites beforehand. Ms. Virginia Roy, 511 North 1st Street, thanked Council and staffon behalf of community senior citizens for approving the agreement for Mountainside Senior Living, previously called Windham. Ms. Nancy O'Brien, 501 9th Street, S.W., a member of the Jefferson School Steering Committee, said that the Committee recommended that the task force be composed of 15 members, not 19 as suggested by Council because that number will be more manageable and there is concern with a large number that the more soft spoken members will be overwhelmed. Ms. O~rien asked that the 5t~ guiding principle be clarified. Mr. John Gaines, 214 9th Street, N.W., President of the WCEH Neighborhood Association, expressed three concerns: I) that the Mohr detox center will be closed due to State cuts; 2) that State funds have been eliminated for the Drug Court; and 3) that the recent shooting left one dead. Mr. Gaines suggested to Council that as they discuss the budget that they put the brick and mortar programs on hold and use the funds to keep the Mohr Center and Drug Court operating. Mr. Gaines also requested that Council adopt a loitering law because of the large group of people out on the streets that keep the neighborhoods under siege. Mr. Caravati referred to the "10%" buttons worn by Council which are part of the campaign to have people reduce their water usage by 10%. PUBLIC HEARING: CITY COUNCIL'S PROPOSED FY 02-03 BUDGET Mr. O'Connell reviewed budget highlights and proposed changes to the budget made by Council at their work session. Mr. O'Connell said that staff has learned that the proposed $5 court fee will expire in one year. Council tentatively agreed to increase the trash sticker fees by 25% and proposed to fund the Abundant Life Program, Drug Court, and AIDS Support Group with CDBG Funds. Increased funding is proposed for the