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18 <br /> <br /> Ms. Richards said that the press release regarding the State tipping fee suggested <br />that the income to the State from the fee would be redistributed throughout the State to <br />local governments for landfill cleanup and open space. <br /> Mr. O'Connell said that that has been the intent of the fee, but the specifics about <br />how it would work and how much might be received is not known. Mr. O'Connell said <br />we have to anticipate that we will not get the money back directly, though it may be <br />available through grants. <br /> Mr. Caravati said he would like to have Council vote separately on the fee <br /> increases, and Mr. O'Connell said the actual increases will come via ordinances changes. <br /> Ms. Richards noted that the court fee will be used to offset State reductions in <br /> constitutional offices, l~oegarding the Abundant Life Program, Ms. Richards expressed <br /> concern about funding it with City dollars since it is not eligible for CDBG funds because <br /> of its religious nature. <br /> Mr. Lynch asked how the Abundant Life program works relative to other social <br /> programs, noting that he has heard anecdotally that it does work. <br /> Mr. Toscano made a motion to include $20,000 from Council reserve in the <br /> budget for Abundant Life Ministries, and Mr. Lynch seconded the motion. <br /> Mr. Cox noted that the review team ranked this program high independent of its <br /> religious content, and he wants to support it. He asked if there was any connection <br /> between recommending this program for funding, but not recommending another <br /> program. <br /> Ms. Peacock said that there was no connection between Abundant Life being <br /> recommended for funding and the Boys and Girls Club not being recommended for <br /> funding, and she noted that the Boys and Girls Club has returned money to the City <br /> because it was not used. <br /> Ms. Richards suggested that the motion be amended to require that the program <br /> be conducted outside of the religious ministry of the church. <br /> Ms. Peacock said that it is for this part of the program, and noted that it fits in <br /> with the Federal faith based initiative. Ms. Peacock said they have to sign an agreement <br /> that they will not do the clmrch part. <br /> Ms. Richards asked if the funds are used only for operating costs and not salaries, <br /> and Ms. Peacock said that their total budget is $I50,000, but she does not know how the <br /> City portion will be applied. <br /> Ms. Richards asked if there is any religious discrimination taking place in hiring <br /> for the Abundant Life program, and expressed concern that the City funding would be <br /> used for salaries. <br /> <br /> Ms. Peacock said she does not know if that question was asked. <br /> Mr. Toscano said that he is hearing that what Ms. Richards was asking for by <br /> amending the motion is already being done, so he said he will not accept the amendment <br /> to his motion. <br /> <br /> The motion to provide $20,000 for the Abundant Life Ministries Program was <br /> approved by the following vote. Ayes: Mr. Cox, Mr. Lynch, Mr. Toscano. Noes: Mr. <br /> Caravati and Ms. Richards. <br /> The Annual Budget Appropriation, as amended, which was offered at the April 1st <br /> meeting, was approved by the following vote. Ayes: Mr. Caravati, Mr. Cox, Mr. Lynch, <br /> Ms. Richards, Mr. Toscano. Noes: None. <br /> <br /> <br />